This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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.) Preferred Experience: BSN with 3-5 years experience preferred. OCN Certification preferred. Infusion/Oncology experience highly desirable. 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/12610540. 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The CTM Nurse will be handling hazardous medications and must don personal protective equipment as required by VHA and Medical Center Policy. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent will be providing care in the Community Based Outpatient Clinics and will be required to operate a government vehicle. The incumbent may experience potentially long commuting times to and from the Medical Center and the CBOC. The incumbent will be self-directed in ensuring that all education and physical exam requirements are maintained in accordance with VA Directive 0637 "VA Vehicle Fleet Management Program". Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. ["The health and well-being of the Nation's men and women who have served in uniform is the highest priority for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Registered Nurses hired as Close To Me (CTM) Infusion will execute the National Oncology Program's Close to Me initiative. The role requires comprehensive knowledge of the VA Health Care System, travel to various CBOCs outside of VA Medical Center's metro area, and familiarity with personnel in multiple departments. The Close to Me (CTM) Infusion Registered Nurse (RN) Nurse commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The registered nurse, as a licensed professional, will be responsible and accountable for their practice. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Possess foundational expertise, demonstrating introductory proficiency in delivering both direct and indirect nursing care to oncology patients and their families. Must collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to achieve desired patient outcomes. Completes physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and procedures. Monitors, tracks/tends, and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team. Provide a safe working environment while administering, handling, and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste. Oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures primarily in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOCs) setting, including vascular access devices and infusion treatments. Demonstrates sound judgement, flexibility, and strong decision-making skills in the delivery of patient care and readily identifies patient complications. Ability to work effectively with patients with a variety of medical and psychiatric condition; demonstrates physical and psychosocial assessment skills. Completes comprehensive nursing documentation according to standards. Treats all patients and families with dignity and respect. If the incumbent is a purchase card holder, performs the duties of a Government-wide Purchase Care Program cardholder in support of his/her service/department/service line. The cardholder is required to complete all required training courses as directed by the agency/organization program coordinator. Uses a team approach to identify, analyze, and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes. Triages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Conducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas, including chemotherapy administration, oncology electronic ordering systems, and calculating drug dosages. Manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs, handling immediate infusion reactions, and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events, such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events. Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Uses specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to hematology/oncology patients and their families. 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 TSP with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/life (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm; Monday - Friday. Tour of duty and/or work schedule may change depending on the needs of the Patients, Department, Facility, or Agency. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
