Registered Nurse- Outpatient Surgery Clinic

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse position is part of the Surgery Integrated Clinical Community within the Outpatient Surgery Clinics. The RN provides direct, patient-centered care to veterans with acute and chronic health conditions, particularly those undergoing minor procedures or surgical interventions, including pre-operative and post-operative management. In-clinic procedures are performed under local anesthetic only. Cross-training is required, and the RN works across assigned outpatient surgery clinics and specialties, adapting to different clinic environments, care needs, and skill requirements. The clinics support specialties including anesthesia, audiology, cardiac surgery, colon and rectal surgery, dental, dermatology, ENT, eye, general surgery, orthopedics, plastics, podiatry, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, thoracic surgery, urology, vascular, and wound care.

The RN delivers coordinated care through assessment, intervention, education, coordination, home-care planning, follow-up, and complication prevention, using state-of-the-art technologies and best practices. The position works collaboratively with patients, families, providers, support staff, therapists, social workers, coordinators, residents, and internal and external services. The VA describes its care model as a Whole Health System, emphasizing personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to the Veteran’s community.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated VA provisions for bridge-program candidates or graduates of foreign nursing schools.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Ability to meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Cross-training across assigned outpatient surgery clinics is required.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants are subject to drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA healthcare personnel.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing with 2–3 years of recent nursing experience.
• Experience in procedural care or surgery, specialty clinics, and inpatient medical-surgical nursing.
• Board certification from a VA-approved certifying body is recommended.

Responsibilities

• Triage patients through phone calls, secure messaging, walk-ins, and scheduled visits, applying the Standing Orders policy.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to identify, analyze, address, and resolve patient concerns in a timely and efficient manner.
• Work across assigned outpatient surgery clinics and specialties, adapting to different environments, patient needs, and required skills.
• Provide direct care in clinic and procedural settings, including support for minor procedures under local anesthetic, nursing interventions and treatments, wound care, and post-surgical follow-ups.
• Partner with providers, patients, families, social workers, surgery coordinators, physical and occupational therapists, medical support assistants, residents, and other healthcare professionals to manage and support patients.
• Coordinate care and transitions with internal and external services, track completion of treatments and testing, and exchange documentation to support continuity of care.
• Support and direct LPNs and NAs as appropriate, delegating tasks effectively and ensuring care remains within the appropriate scope of practice.
• Communicate and reinforce follow-up plans and test results, ensuring patients understand next steps, post-visit instructions, and ongoing care needs.
• Facilitate home-care and community referrals and make recommendations to support veterans’ ongoing needs.
• Provide individualized health education and support to patients, caregivers, and families, emphasizing self-management, prevention, and wellness aligned with patient goals.
• Coach and mentor new and existing staff in clinical skill development and professional growth.
• Administer medications and monitor patient responses and adverse reactions.
• Complete administrative tasks as required, such as pulling records.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree