Vascular Access Registered Nurse (VARN) provides assessment and care to acutely ill patients, requiring Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) procedures. The Vascular Access Nurse demonstrates a broad perspective of clinical practice and its relationship to unit, service, and hospital goals and objectives. 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/12670425. 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/. Preferred Experiences: Minimum 2 years experience and skills in assessing, inserting, caring for, & managing vascular access devices, including peripheral intravenous catheters, midlines, and peripherally inserted central catheters. Experience to maintain Central Venous Access Devices, in responding & initiating vascular access referrals. Experience and competency in all domains of infusion therapy, providing direct and indirect care in accordance with organizational policies and/or procedures, Infusion Nursing Society Standards of Practice, Association for Vascular Access and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowledge & experience to maintain Central Venous Access Devices. RN has experience in responding and initiating vascular access referrals. Experience and competency in all domains of infusion therapy, providing direct and indirect care in accordance with organizational policies and/or procedures, Infusion Nursing Society Standards of Practice, Association for Vascular Access and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Preferred certification with the American Nurses Association and the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses Associates. Physical Requirements: 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 inpatient 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 incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["The Vascular Access Nurse assumes the following roles and responsibilities: Maintains ACLS/BLS Certification. Applies advanced vascular access knowledge, and skills in the caring of patients requiring intravenous (IV) access. Demonstrates competence in ultrasound technique, sterile procedure, and is current on best practice and established standards of care. Collaborates with clinical staff to provide device recommendations, vascular access insertions, maintenance, as well as patient and staff education. Places peripherally inserted central lines utilizing modified Selinger's technique (MST). Utilizes Tip positioning system (TPS) and 3CG technology to verify proper catheter tip placement. Places midline catheters, ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous catheters, and performs ultrasound guided blood draws. Accesses and de-accesses implantable ports and troubleshoots difficult complications of Vascular Access Devices (VAD's). Declots VAD's and/or assists staff as a resource in declotting. Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn and provides teaching to patient, family or significant other (with patient's permission), regarding PICC line care and maintenance. Communicates proper referral or recommendations to healthcare provider if patient does not meet the criteria for bedside PICC Line placement. Provides education pertaining to competency-based skills and knowledge related to intraosseous insertion, PIV insertion, dressing changes, sterile technique, and phlebitis signs and symptoms. Rounds and assesses all vascular access devices. Performs dressing changes, maintains data, reports, and keeps up to date on latest recommendations for best practice. Demonstrates cardiac rhythm recognition, detects cardiac arrhythmias, understands arrhythmia significance, recognizes symptoms, and anticipates or initiates appropriate nursing measures. Performs on going assessment of patient condition and responses to treatment. Demonstrates effective analytical and critical thinking skills, with ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, develop, and applies effective solutions, recognizing his/her own scope of practice. Performs care coordination and case management duties to include scheduling, lab review, medication reconciliation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Communicates and initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management and staff, consultants, and outside agencies. Demonstrates strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions, recognizing his/her scope of practice. Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism, encouraging staff to respond positively and proactively. Supports department strategic planning and assists unit-based educational program and activities. Ensures equipment is functional before use. Removes broken equipment from services and immediately reports defective equipment to supervisor. Participates in training for self and others for professional development activities aligned with VA mission, goals, and objectives. Participates in completion of initial and ongoing staff competencies. Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems in the performance of daily duties. Reads work emails on each assigned shift. Monitors economic use of supplies and equipment. Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems and clinical applications in performance of daily duties. Practices ergonomics for workplace safety. Participates as a member on formal organizational-wide committees, councils, or performance improvement teams. Demonstrates flexibility in schedule, tours of duty, and assignments. The position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital. Performs other duties as assigned. 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: Full Time; 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: N/A Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A"]

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