The Salisbury VAMC is seeking one Endoscopy/Gastroenterology flex Registered Nurse. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Manometry/Motility experience is preferred. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. The registered nurse, as a licensed professional, will be responsible and accountable for his/her practice. Duties include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates knowledge to assess, perform and appropriately care for patients in a fast-paced clinic/procedural environment. The GI Clinic Nurse will provide care to male and female Veteran's in an ambulatory care setting. Nursing care for patients will predominately be provided in the GI Clinic. The GI Clinic Nurse practices according to and is consistent with evidence-based standards from the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates position statements, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterological Association, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses guidelines for gastrointestinal disease prevention and treatment. The scope of practice includes all patients with esophageal, gastrointestinal, and hepatobiliary disorders. Possesses a basic knowledge of endoscopic procedures and management/monitoring of the various diagnoses and disease processes. Familiarity with appropriate specimen collection, laboratory results, critical values/parameters, and follow up protocols in collaboration with providers. Works closely with all members of the GI specialty team and participates in interdisciplinary meetings. Pre-case manage patient care and confer with providers regarding diabetic and anticoagulation medications. Proper handling, use, and cleaning of capsule endoscopy equipment. - Assist provider with performance of manometry studies. Assist with physical examinations, feeding tube replacements, and specimen collection within the clinic setting. Demonstrates knowledge to assess, perform and appropriately care for patients in a fast-paced clinic/procedural environment. Nursing care for patients will predominately be provided for patients in the Endoscopy Department, including areas where requested to assist in Gastroenterology Clinic, Operating Room, PACU, Intensive Care Unit, and Emergency Department. The Endoscopy Nurse practices according to and is consistent with evidence-based standards from the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates position statements, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterological Association, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses guidelines for gastrointestinal disease prevention and treatment. The scope of practice includes all patients with esophageal, gastrointestinal, and hepatobiliary disorders, and selected patients with pulmonary disorders requiring bronchoscopy procedures. Basic knowledge of treatment, care, evidence-based nursing /medical protocols and management of GI/Endoscopy/Bronchoscopy Procedures. Demonstrate competence in the care and handling of all RME (reusable medical equipment) including preparing RME for patient care use and immediate post-procedure cleaning. Familiarity with appropriate specimen collection, laboratory results, critical values/parameters, and follow up protocols in collaboration with providers. - Conducts pre-procedure assessment including obtaining vital signs, assessing cardiac rhythm, and laboratory findings; assesses the patient's past medical history and current health status. Conducts post-procedure assessment and discharge teaching. This is not an all-inclusive list but an essential list of various cases managed by the Endoscopy/Manometry Nurse. 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: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.