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Registered Nurse - Operating Room

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) Operating- Surgical Unit is responsible for care of adult patients in the Operating- Surgical Unit (OR).

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
11/17/2021 to 12/01/2021
Salary
$57,276 to - $95,478 per year

Pro-rated salary based on hours worked.

Pay scale & grade
AD 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fargo, ND
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Intermittent - 8 hour shifts on intermittent basis, 0700-1530
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
00
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSY-11299102-22-BRL
Control number
622719800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

First area of consideration will be given to current Fargo VA Health Care System employees.

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Duties

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Registered Nurse will be responsible to circulate and scrub during operative procedures and will cover IR, bronch and cysto room cases. The incumbent uses critical thinking to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and deliver care. Incumbent provides nursing care for complex patients, independently carrying out all nursing functions within the OR as well as ambulatory surgery unit and endoscopy as needed. The incumbent must fulfill the qualifications for Moderate Sedation Nurse Competencies. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining up to date all mandatory training and attending required in-services as well as maintaining current ACLS and BLS certification. The incumbent will possess effective communication skills and customer service practices.

Incumbent is required to take call on a rotating basis and report to the OR within 30 minutes of notification.

Incumbent is required to be competent in the standards of nursing, incorporating evidenced based care. Based on the RN's patient assessment, the RN must be able to initiate care independently based on department standard operating procedures. The RN is expected to communicate timely and effectively with all members of the Interdisciplinary Team as well as relate courteously and appropriately to all internal and external customers. The RN is expected to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment working as a patient advocate and build strong teams within multiple levels of interdisciplinary staff.

Functions of Assigned Dutiesincluded but not limited to:

  • Utilizes critical thinking skills and clinical decisional authority, prioritizes patient care by assessing the needs of the unit/are as a whole and assigning staff appropriately.
  • Provides nursing care and interventions for patients having all types of surgical procedures.
  • Provides and anticipates needs for equipment/supplies in the operating room arena.
  • Responsible for intra-operative patient positioning.
  • Demonstrates knowledge and skills in scrubbing for all types of surgical procedure.
  • Uses sterile techniques in caring for patients when needed.
  • Provides cares for patients in Phase I and II recovery.
  • Follows policy/procedure for surgical count, informed consents, and verification of surgical site.
  • Monitoring of vital signs, blood loss, and level of consciousness. Reports abnormalities and initiates appropriate nursing interventions when warranted.
  • Demonstrates knowledge, use, and interpretation of monitoring equipment in ambulatory surgery, Operating- Surgical Unit and Endoscopy.
  • Safely provides assessment and care for patients undergoing surgeries, procedures, and treatments and reports any complications or abnormalities to appropriate staff.
  • Administers medication safely and accurately; including conscious sedation under the direct supervisor of the provider.
  • Establishes and maintains effective communication with patients, family members, and the interdisciplinary team (including surgical team).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 hour shifts on intermittent basis - 0700-1530, Call rotation for Evenings, Nights, Weekends and Holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.
  • 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.
Preferred Experience:
  • ACLS and BLS Certification.
  • Current or prior experience in the Operating Room.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:
  • Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
  • Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
  • Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
  • Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
  • Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience.
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling intermittent hours; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 3 hours; standing 3 hours; kneeling 1/4 hour; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; specific visual correction to read fine print; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; hearing (aid permitted); mental/emotional stability; and no skin allergies preventing use of protective equipment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

As a VA employee, you will enjoy a truly rewarding career, comprehensive benefits, competitive pay and other generous perks to help build a fuller, more balanced life for you and your family.

  • Strong starting salary, career growth, and recognition
  • VA Nurse Locality Pay System (LPS) - ensuring our nurses are paid competitive rates within each local labor market
  • VA Special Rates - providing regular performance-based increases and potential accelerated increases for outstanding performance
  • Premium Pay - including overtime, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, on-call and night work
  • Incentive Awards - including Superior Performance Awards, Special Contribution Awards, VA Honor Awards, and Non-Monetary Recognition.
  • 8 hours of annual leave (Vacation Time) accrual for full-time Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists for each full biweekly pay period. (The highest leave accrual of any VA employee!)
  • 4 hours of Sick leave accrual per full biweekly pay period.
  • 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
  • Organ Donor Leave
  • Military Leave
  • Disabled Veteran Leave
  • Health Insurance - pre-taxed premiums and a variety of plans to choose from, ranging from traditional HMO/PPO plans with low co-pays, to High- Deductible plans. Single, spouse and family plans available.
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) -Tax deferred retirement savings account that is similar to private sector 401(k). You may be eligible for an automatic 1% agency contribution, plus a 4% matching agency contribution.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - medical & dependent care
  • Life Insurance - with available additions for family coverage
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Leave Sharing Program
  • Holidays - 11 paid Federal holidays each year
  • Child Care Subsidies
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Wellness and Physical Fitness Programs
  • Transit Subsidies
  • Continuing Education Opportunities
Based on the needs of the organization, employee's selected may be called on to perform duties at other locations within Fargo VA .

Testing Designated Position: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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