Summary

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is seeking a Registered Nurse for foot care in our Specialty Clinic. The Registered Nurse - trained in foot care nursing - is a supportive staff member utilizing evidence-based principles applicable to the Podiatry Service. This nurse will work with the Podiatrist and use the service agreement to review consultations for medical necessity - ensuring Veteran service is provided in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12952793
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear and articulate speech - and manual dexterity
• It involves potential prolonged periods of walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing up to 35 pounds - in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032
• Responsibilities may include transferring patients and objects - with mechanical inpatient lifts provided for assistance
• The incumbent may be exposed to infectious patients and contaminated materials and may need to wear protective clothing in isolation environments - during operative or invasive procedures - or in home settings
• Occasionally - there may be exposure to patients who exhibit combative behavior due to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric conditions
• The ideal candidate will be mature - adaptable - and capable of working effectively under stress while shifting priorities based on patient needs
• Completion of annual Employee Health requirements - such as TB screening or testing - is a condition of employment.

Duties

• The registered nurse specializing in foot care is responsible for providing evidence-based - gender-specific care to specialty care patients and supervising licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants
• This role includes delivering direct patient care and coordinating care within the Specialty Care Department for Veterans and their families
• The nurse manages assigned patient panels - utilizes registries - and ensures timely assessments and access to care for patients
• Responsibilities also encompass health promotion - patient education on wellness - disease prevention - and management of chronic conditions
• Additionally - the nurse will assist in coordinating nursing education - orientation - and competency development - as well as participating in quality improvement initiatives and outcomes analysis
• Duties include but are not limited to: Oversee the delivery of nursing care to patients with complex needs - utilizing the nursing process in accordance with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice
• Enhance veteran and patient-centered care by addressing experience-related challenges - including care coordination - timeliness - process improvements - areas of concern - and environmental factors within the immediate practice setting
• Act as a advocate for patients - families - and caregivers to promote improved outcomes within the immediate practice setting
• Lead the implementation of high-reliability principles and I CARE values to enhance the consistency of care provided and improve patient outcomes
• Lead patient care improvement through monitoring - analyzing - and evaluating care outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Lead teams - participate in team meetings - and actively collaborate throughout all phases of patient care planning
• Integrate goals - opportunities - and resources effectively
• Implement evidence-based practices and research to improve outcomes within the immediate clinical setting
• Preferred Experience: Experience in Surgical Ambulatory Care/Outpatient Wound Care
• A minimum of three (3) years of successful clinical nursing practice with experience in Surgical Ambulatory Care/Outpatient Care
• Consult - triage - and management experience
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized