Registered Nurse - Community Services

Veterans Health Administration • Washington, DC

9d

About The Position

The Community Services Registered Nurse provides patient-centered nursing care, counseling, health promotion, illness and injury prevention, assessment, health education, treatment, and care coordination using the nursing process. The RN serves as a clinical leader and resource in the assigned practice setting, providing competent, evidence-based care to Veterans, including patients with complex care needs, and collaborating with providers, VA and community facilities, and interdisciplinary teams to promote optimal outcomes.

The RN coordinates inpatient and outpatient care, supports patient-driven care, advocates for Veterans and their families, oversees delegated nursing activities as appropriate, and contributes to staff education, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and professional development. The role requires compliance with patient privacy, safety, infection prevention, emergency preparedness, accreditation, and documentation requirements. Work schedules and assignments may vary according to the operational needs of a 24/7 hospital. Ad-hoc telework may be available as needed by the service; the work schedule is determined based on service needs and may include varying tours.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education under the stated bridge-program or foreign-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable grade-level education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Maintain Basic Life Support and complete required education, competency assessments, and annual Employee Health requirements.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; comply with seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Three years of community nursing experience.
• Five years of acute critical care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and lead competent, evidence-based nursing care for Veterans, including patients with complex care needs, using the nursing process.
• Coordinate inpatient and outpatient care and services, assist with appointment scheduling as needed, communicate patient conditions and care needs to providers, and collaborate with VA and community facilities.
• Identify patient care problems, initiate referrals to other disciplines and services, and accurately document findings, assessments, interventions, and care in the medical record.
• Oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate and remain accountable for evaluation of delegated nursing activities.
• Promote Veteran- and patient-driven care by addressing coordination, timeliness, safety, and patient experience; advocate for and serve as a resource to Veterans, families, and caregivers.
• Lead and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in care planning, decision-making, and evaluation of outcomes, promoting communication, teamwork, cooperation, and professional practice.
• Support nursing and healthcare staff education, orientation, competency development, mentoring, precepting, teaching, and professional development.
• Integrate evidence-based practice and research into clinical practice and lead patient-care improvement through monitoring and evaluating outcomes and identifying efficient, cost-effective approaches.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and comply with infection prevention, patient safety, occupational safety, and emergency preparedness requirements.
• Provide age-appropriate care that considers cognitive, emotional, developmental, chronological, and lifestyle needs while promoting dignity, autonomy, safety, self-care, and independence.
• Protect sensitive patient information and printed and electronic records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, VA policy, and VHA requirements.
• Maintain Basic Life Support, complete required orientation and mandatory education, and participate in competency assessment and validation.
• Support accreditation readiness through standards of care, complete and timely documentation, safety and infection-control practices, patient privacy, and participation in performance-improvement activities.
• Maintain flexibility in schedules and assignments based on the needs of a 24/7 hospital and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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