Summary

There is a full-time Cardiac Travel Device RN open in the Medicine Division of the Milwaukee VAMC.

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/12706895
• 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
• Preferred Experience: BSN degree preferred with minimum of at least two years of successful practice in nursing and patient care services - in settings with broad program mission - scope and complexity Minimum of 2 years' experience managing - interrogating - reprogramming - and optimizing Implanted Cardiac Devices and organizing Device Clinic operations strongly preferred National specialty certification and/or Heart Rhythm Society Device Certification preferred Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) required Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred Critical care experience: Emergency Department - ICU - Cardiac Cath Lab preferred Cardiology experience in procedural setting preferred Experience with Device implantation procedures - managing implantable devices during initial implantation procedure preferred Proficiency in Windows based programs (Word - Excel - Power Point) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting in the direct care of patients
• There may also be extended periods of sitting and/or standing while wearing a lead apron.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Cardiac Travel Device Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for managing complex patient situations - acting as a patient advocate - and providing supportive assistance to all members of the healthcare team
• The Travel Device RN is a registered nurse who is independently accountable for the effective management and coordination of care for patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) - including pacemakers - implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) - and implantable loop recorders
• The Device RN has a strong knowledge base of cardiovascular care and advanced heart diseases
• The RN will collaborate with the Electrophysiology (EP) team - Interventional Cardiologists - heart failure team - cardiothoracic surgical team - and other clinical staff throughout the Zablocki VA Medical Center (ZVAMC) and CBOCs to coordinate the care of patients with CIEDs - and to provide and improve quality patient outcomes for the patient and families in the Device Clinic
• The Cardiology Traveling Device Registered Nurse functions/scope of assigned duties include but are not limited to: Independently perform CIED interrogation in the outpatient setting - including ZVAMC clinics and remote clinics
• Independently perform CIED interrogation in the inpatient setting including but not limited to MRI - Radiation Therapy - ER - OR - and inpatient units
• Collect - investigate - analyze - and interpret data from CIEDs and share information with recommendations with electrophysiology providers
• Problem solve device functions - settings - arrhythmia episodes - and interventions
• Work closely with EP team and other multidisciplinary teams - ensuring quality CIED and medical follow up care
• Actively manage remote monitoring of all CIEDs - analyze and interpret data from devices - and share/review findings with Electrophysiology providers
• Communicate and problem solve with multidisciplinary team to solve complex patient care issues and CIED function
• Analyze clinical data and compose written CIED management summaries and clinic visit notes
• Optimize the function and effectiveness of each device for the enhanced benefit of the patient
• Monitor and evaluate multiple different makes and models of pacemakers - defibrillators - and loop recorders
• Travel: This position has a travel requirement of up to 50%
• Travel to other VA locations includes but is not limited to Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center - Appleton - Green Bay - and McHenry IL Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
• RN must have an active driver's license with no restrictions - be able to operate a motor vehicle safely - and follow all VA policies regarding government travel
• 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: M-F Day shift with variable start times Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized