Registered Nurse (ICU)

Veterans Health Administration • Salem, VA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (ICU) provides direct, high-intensity nursing care and vigilance for acutely ill patients who are moderately stable but at elevated risk for instability. The nurse develops plans of care based on nursing assessments, applies nursing theory and critical-thinking skills, and manages complex situations while validating the rationale for care processes and decisions. The role includes partnering with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to promote effective, safe transitions across the health care continuum.

The nurse delegates care appropriately based on patient needs, condition, and safety; contributes a nursing perspective to interdisciplinary discussions; and supports colleagues through knowledge sharing, feedback, and professional development. The position also contributes to nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, outcomes utilization, and evidence-based practice. Depending on grade and level, responsibilities may include evaluating outcomes and documented program- or service-level results.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not authorized. This is not a virtual position. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or an eligible equivalent education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician temporary appointment exception may apply to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and scope/dimension criteria for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and complete applicable onboarding and background/security requirements.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to pre-employment urinalysis; refusing testing results in denial of employment.
• Registration for Selective Service is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of ICU experience.

Responsibilities

• Formulate plans of care based on nursing assessments.
• Provide direct, high-intensity care and vigilance for acutely ill patients who are moderately stable and at elevated risk for instability.
• Integrate nursing theory, critical thinking, technical skills, knowledge, and judgment in patient care and complex situations.
• Delegate elements of care to appropriate individuals based on assessed needs, patient condition, and safety.
• Partner with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to support effective and safe transitions across the health care continuum.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization.
• Contribute a professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary team discussions and partner with others to improve outcomes.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing and formal or informal constructive feedback; foster a safe, supportive environment for professional development.
• Evaluate nursing practice using the best available evidence and participate in strategies that sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations, and be responsible for documented program- or service-level outcomes as applicable.
• Manage competing priorities and seek guidance or leadership experiences to improve care and develop leadership skills.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• 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