Registered Nurse (PCU-Intermittent)

The Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center is seeking a highly skilled and experienced RN for the Progressive Care Unit (PCU). PCU is a 18 bed Step-Down unit providing service to both medical and surgical step-down intensive care patients, specializing in cardio-vascular surgeries, which is a part of our expanded Critical Care Department. The RN will be responsible for the organization and administration of high quality and efficient patient care to our unique patient population.

EDUCATION: RESPONSIBILITIES: Current, permanent GLA employees will be given the first consideration. Must submit most recent SF-50 to receive 1st consideration.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Assures detailed, current and comprehensive documentation is contained in the patient medical record and other pertinent records.

Utilizes human and material resources to provide efficient and effective patient care.

Evaluates systems for patient care delivery and personnel management by tailoring the operating environment to the particular needs of the patient population.

Promotes participation with the Quality Management Program in the Clinical, Research and Educational Programs.

Develops and supports research projects directed toward improving the care of the Critical Care patient.

Provides a safe and healthful physical environment for patients and personnel by interpreting and applying organizational controls and national standards.

Assures continuing improvement of service to patients, including implementation of an effective customer service program.

Understands and facilitates the objectives of student affiliation programs.

Ensures compliance with all patient rights and regulatory agency standards.

Collaborates with the other health care professionals in providing continuity of services for specific health issues.

Improves continuity of professional relationships among the health care team as they collaborate on behalf of patients.

Performs emergent care in acute/crisis situations.

Performs ongoing monitoring of patient conditions and documents patient responses to care in a clear, concise manner.

Reviews and updates patient databases, patient care plans and other Critical Care forms as appropriate.

Interacts with the family and/or significant others to facilitate patient care.

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: Intermittent; 8-12 hrs. per pay period

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Duty Location: 11301 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90073 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.

Preferred Experience:

BSN preferred

Minimum of 18 months of successful, independent RN practice or 12 months of Critical Care experience.

Minimum of at least two (2) years of current, full-time Adult critical care experience within the last 3 years preferred and/or Minimum of at least one (1) year of current, full-time cardio-thoracic experience preferred

Completion of a critical care course/training orientation

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association

Experience with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, CRRT and trans venous cardiac pacer, preferred

Evidence of self-direction or organizational skills

Evidence of effectively educating patients and patient families

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/13025260 .

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/ .

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. SALARY: QuantitativeValue EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Other