RN Staff-Special Care Unit

Veterans Health Administration • Togus, ME

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The RN Staff-Special Care Unit position is in Nursing, Acute Care Service, at the Togus location. It is a full-time position at 40 hours per week, providing direct nursing care to acutely and critically ill patients with actual or potential life-threatening health conditions in a critical care setting. The role coordinates and manages the nursing process, administers medications and treatments, monitors patient status, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to provide individualized care. The nurse also supports other nursing staff, contributes to quality improvement, educates patients and families, and advocates for patient-centered care and safety.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. The award amount may be up to $200,000, and the eligibility period may range from one to five years; the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office determines approval, award amount, and eligibility period after reviewing the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible.

The work schedule is 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are unavailable, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. A pre-placement physical examination is required, and applicants must be physically able to perform the duties satisfactorily. Applicants must have a current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and meet the applicable nursing education and grade qualifications. Basic written and spoken English proficiency is required for direct patient care.

Compensation includes competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards. The listed benefits include 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays), a traditional federal pension with five-year vesting, a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA, and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance. Many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a qualifying accredited school of professional nursing, or an applicable qualifying nursing education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician temporary appointment exception is described for qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the applicable Nurse grade and level.
• Physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties and complete a pre-placement physical examination.
• 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 in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation, online onboarding, acceptable identity-document requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and possible probationary period.
• Complete application requirements listed in the announcement and, when applicable, successfully complete credentialing.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 2 years of critical care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to acutely and critically ill patients experiencing actual or potential life-threatening conditions in a critical care setting.
• Coordinate and manage the nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care.
• Administer medications, treatments, and specialized procedures in accordance with established policies, standards, and clinical guidelines.
• Monitor and evaluate patient status using invasive and non-invasive technologies, integrating clinical findings to support timely interventions and optimal outcomes.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized plans of care.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and support to licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants to ensure safe and effective patient care.
• Lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives using evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes and resource utilization.
• Educate patients, families, caregivers, and staff about disease management, treatment plans, self-care strategies, and healthcare goals.
• Serve as a mentor, preceptor, and clinical resource, supporting staff development and professional growth.
• Advocate for patient-centered care and safety by addressing care coordination issues, ethical concerns, and opportunities to improve the patient experience.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; award amount may be up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days 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
• Education Level: Associate degree