Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is exclusively open to United States citizens. Note: First consideration will be given to eligible Columbia VA Health Care System employees.

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NOTE: Please carefully read the vacancy announcement and adhere to the required documents instructions.

NOTE: An incomplete application package will result in being rated ineligible for further consideration.

NOTE: A complete application is: 1. USAJOBS resume or resume that meets Federal Employment Criteria with CRNA license information; 2. Application for Nurse and Nurse Anesthetist (VA Form 10-2850A); 3. Official College Transcripts with Degree Conferred Date; 4. Copy of Certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists; and 5. Most Recent Notification of Personnel Action SF-50 with Salary Information (Must have a 2021 effective date) (Required for Federal Employees only).

Scope of Duties:

The incumbent will provide experienced anesthesia support for patients presenting for services requiring anesthesia involvement. The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) will provide a vital role in patient care and in the anesthesia care team (CRNA and Anesthesiologist) approach to problem solving using the perioperative anesthesia care team model.

• Administer anesthesia to patients in compliance with his/her delineation of privileges granted by the Medical Staff of the WJB Dorn VAMC.
• Coordinate his/her daily anesthesia assignment with the Chief of Anesthesiology, Chief CRNA, or designee to provide services to patients and surgeons which are efficient, safe, and respectful.
• Provide clinical anesthesia assessment of individual patients, including discussion of informed consent, develop risk assessments based on presenting problems and implement an appropriate perioperative anesthesia care plan in conjunction with the supervising anesthesiologist.
• Document perioperative treatment plan.
• Provide effective interventions which are patient centered based on assessment.
• Maintain accurate and up to standard records of all patients.
• Ensure that perioperative anesthetic management strategies and content are based on up­ to-date scientific literature and best-practice
• Participate in a rotating emergency call schedule with other service CRNAs to assure CRNA availability at all times.
• Maintain proficiency in electronic medical records for documentation in, and retrieval of, patient records when required.
• Demonstrated ability to blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, and pharmacology.
• Participate at perioperative in-service meetings to present and discuss relevant clinical information.
• Participate in the teaching program of medical students and residents who rotate through Anesthesiology.
• Develop and maintain close consultation and effective working relationships with other health care professionals.
• Develop and maintain coordinated case management and effective working relationships with referral sources.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and communication within the perioperative care team.
• Maintain compliance with the policies, procedure s and guidelines of the WJB Dorn VAMC and Anesthesiology Service.
• Review , evaluate, and set personal performance objectives and be responsible for own professional development.
• Promote dignity and respect of patients.
• Ability to participate in research as appropriate.

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
• USAJOBS resume or resume that meets Federal Employment Criteria with CRNA license information (Required)
• Application for Nurse and Nurse Anesthetist (VA Form 10-2850A) (Required)
• Official College Transcripts with Degree Conferred Date (Required)
• Copy of Certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (Required)
• Most Recent Notification of Personnel Action SF-50 with Salary Information (Must have a 2021 effective date) (Required for Federal Employees only)

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.
• Education:
  • 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 a current, full, and unrestricted registration and the possession of a Certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. AND
  • Graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) at the time the program was completed. The AANA has compiled current listings of approved training institutions, which are published annually in the December issue of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal. The American Hospital Association in their "Guide to the Health Care Field" also publishes listings of approved training institutions annually in August.
• Licensure: 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.
• Certification: On and after May 4, 1993, certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to non-certified nurse anesthetists employed by VA as a nurse anesthetist prior to May 4, 1993 and continuously thereafter.

• 1. Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care.
• 2. Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data.
• 3. Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient.
• 4. Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status.
• 5. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care.
• 6. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.
• 7. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
• 8. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care.

• 1. Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care.
• 2. Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care.
• 3. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures.
• 4. Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment.
• 5. Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations.
• 6. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience.
• 7. Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia.
• 8. Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers.
• 9. Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records.
• 10. Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care.

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.

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

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.