RN - Staff - Emergency Dept./Urgent Care

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Emergency Department Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process while providing or supervising direct patient care. The nurse administers medications and performs procedures according to established policies and guidelines, collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes, and participates in unit- or program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.

The role provides urgent and emergent care to patients with acute or chronic medical, surgical, and psychiatric conditions. Care ranges from basic nursing care to stabilization, resuscitation, and life-support measures. The nurse provides competent, evidence-based care, delegates and supervises basic nursing care performed by licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel, and incorporates patient, family, and caregiver knowledge, values, and beliefs into care without judgment or discrimination. The nurse advocates for patients and caregivers, helps address ethical issues, and leads implementation of high-reliability principles and I CARE values to improve consistency of care and patient outcomes.

This is a permanent VA position with a compressed schedule: six 12-hour shifts from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and one 8-hour shift per pay period, with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and EDRP are not authorized.

The position requires a current, full, active, and unrestricted U.S. nursing registration, subject to the stated education and qualification pathways. It involves substantial physical activity and requires visual and auditory acuity and the ability to work on computers for extended periods.

Requirements

• Graduate from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or meet one of the stated alternative education pathways.
• Hold current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned VA nurse grade and level.
• Have sufficient visual and auditory acuity to provide safe and effective nursing care.
• Be able to perform required physical activities, including standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, turning, assisting with patient transfers, and transporting patients.
• Be able to work on computers for extended periods.
• Be able to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients when required.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of RN experience in an Emergency Department or Urgent Care is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide urgent and emergent nursing care to patients with acute or chronic medical, surgical, and psychiatric conditions.
• Provide care ranging from basic nursing care to stabilization, resuscitation, and life-support measures.
• Deliver competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.
• Delegate and supervise basic nursing care performed by licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Incorporate patient, family, and caregiver knowledge, values, and beliefs into care delivery without judgment or discrimination.
• Advocate for patients, families, and caregivers to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting.
• Serve as a resource for patients, caregivers, and staff in addressing and resolving ethical issues.
• Lead implementation of high-reliability principles and I CARE values to improve consistency of care and patient outcomes.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Participate in unit- or program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, including 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