Career Center

Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families - caregivers - and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

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/12945730
• 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 Experience: Two or more years of recent RN experience in hematology - oncology - outpatient infusion - or specialty infusion settings
• Experience administering chemotherapy - immunotherapy - targeted therapies - blood products - and supportive oncology treatments
• Experience providing non-oncology infusion therapies such as biologics - immunoglobulins - iron infusions - antibiotics - hydration - or other specialty medications
• Demonstrated skill in accessing and managing central venous access devices including implanted ports - PICC lines - and central venous catheters
• Ability to assess patients before - during - and after infusions and recognize and respond to infusion reactions or treatment-related complications
• Experience providing patient education related to infusion therapies - treatment plans - and symptom management
• Ability to coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams including providers - pharmacists - and nursing staff in a high-volume outpatient setting
• Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy/Biotherapy certification preferred or willingness to obtain within a designated timefram

Duties

• The Registered Nurse (RN) Oncology / Hematology / Infusion possesses foundational expertise - demonstrating introductory proficiency in delivering both direct and indirect nursing care to oncology patients and their families
• They collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to achieve desired patient outcomes
• Completes basic 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
• Seeks guidance on how to improve care provided to patients and families
• They provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste
• The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction
• They seek guidance on how to improve care to patients and families
• Will develop a knowledge base of oncology/hematology diseases and treatments
• Will be able to recognize oncologic and hematologic emergencies
• Will be able to independently initiate intravenous and central line access
• They will strive toward achieving adequate oncology service hours needed to obtain the ONS chemotherapy-biotherapy certification
• Duties include but not limited to: Work in unison with the staff and provider's in promoting patient centered culture that assures that quality health care services are provided to the veterans promptly - safely - courteously - and compassionately and that their significantly others and/or caregivers are appropriately involved
• Is integrally involved in activities - goals - and functionality of the Specialty Care Team
• Is professionally collaborative with their peers throughout the Primary Care and Specialty Care Clinics
• Triages and assesses walk-in patients as necessary
• Triages and provides appropriate services to patients who telephone and/or utilize secure messaging for health concerns
• Provides timely follow-up on any patient complaints/concerns coordinating with providers
• Participates in quality improvement program activities - clinic specific data collection - and committees
• Works in partnership with providers to enhance chronic disease management for a variety of disease processes
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and peers to ensure needs of veterans is met
• Able to recognize and document signs of deteriorating health in addition to alerting emergency response team
• Work with the Hematology Oncology Nurse Navigators and Medical Support Assistants (MSA) to provide coordination of appointments and scheduling
• Responsible for collaborating with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care coordination in order to effectively meet the needs of the patient
• Achieves/ Maintain Oncology Nurse Society (ONS) Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate
• Administer Chemotherapy - Immunotherapy (including monoclonal antibodies) - and blood products
• Initiates intravenous access - performs lab draws via port access Provide patient/family/caregiver education and information to the patients receiving care and treatment
• Other duties as assigned
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Telework: Not authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
• Physical Requirements: ou will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.