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Registered Nurse (Outpatient Methadone Dosing)

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

Summary

The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is seeking a Registered Nurse to work in the Outpatient Substitution (Methadone) clinic at our facility. If you are interested in a career that offers professional/work life balance in a supportive, clinical learning environment, providing integrated patient-centered, state-of-the-art care to Veterans, we welcome you to apply to be part of the Cincinnati VA team!

Cincinnati is a family friendly, metropolitan city with great parks, fine arts, and food scene.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/22/2022 to 10/03/2022
Salary
$65,309 to - $130,253 per year

Education and length of practice will be considered by the Nursing Professional Standards Board in determining salary (grade and step).

Pay scale & grade
VN 00
Location
Cincinnati, OH
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
3
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
CBSR-11659762-22-VLK
Control number
678977000

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Duties

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The VA has been named as one of the Top 5 Best Places to Work in the federal government.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

With both an urban energy and southern charm, the Cincinnati region has a vibrant and unique culture that flows from the Ohio River to the things to do, landmarks and events all around town. With rich cultural offerings, award-winning family adventures, an ever-expanding art scene, a foodie's paradise, and breweries galore, this is one picturesque river region with much to explore! With major league sports, big-city arts, fun festivals and award-winning attractions, it can be hard to decide what to do in our dynamic river region!
https://www.frommers.com/destinations/cincinnati

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases
Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more. Contact VISN 10 HR EDRP-SLRP at VISN10HREDRPSLRP@va.gov, the EDRP group for questions/assistance.
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

REGISTERED NURSE OUTPATIENT METHADONE DOSING

The Registered Nurse (RN) in the Mental Health Care Line provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes:

  • Systematic data gathering
  • Assessment
  • Appropriate nursing judgment
  • Evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems. The RN, through such services as: Case finding, health teaching, and health counseling.
  • Provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being.
  • Executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider.
The RN's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).

The RN will:
  • Provide several hours of methadone dosing per day and works with patients with substance use disorder in various stages of recovery.
  • Provide assistance with labs including obtaining UDS, completes medication call backs, and assists other SUDEP clinics with duties as needed such as providing coverage for the long-acting injection clinic.
  • Participate in team meetings and work closely with nurse manager and Opiate Substitution Program manager to provide care to patients in the methadone clinic and SUDEP Division of the Mental Health Care Line.
  • Complete other duties as assigned.
The RN in the Mental Health Care Line provides psychiatric nursing care to a wide variety of clients with DSM -V diagnoses, including many patients with dual-diagnoses including substance abuse, as well as clients with complex psycho-social and behavioral issues. A significant number of clients also have post-traumatic-stress-disorder, which requires specialized treatment plans. In addition, Mental Health registered nurses may provide and participate in group therapy and 1:1 patient counseling.

The RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. He/she administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. The staff nurse considers all characteristics of the individual, including sex and sex role identification, age and life stage, state of health, race and culture, socio-economic status, values, and previous experience with similar events to assist each patient and to identify and meet basic health needs that will improve his/her health status to the individual' s maximum potential.

Work Schedule: 04:45 to 13:15; rotating weekends( typically every third, but changes depending on the needs of the service) but no 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

  • U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • 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.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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:

  1. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
  2. English Language Proficiency. RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
  3. Graduation from School of Nursing:
    • Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
      • The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), an accrediting arm of the National League for Nursing located at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006 or call (800) 669-1656 extension 153. The NLNAC accredits all levels of nursing programs. Additional information may be obtained from the NLNAC web site; or
      • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The CCNE accredits bachelors and master's degree programs, and is located at One Dupont Circle N.W., Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036 or call (202) 463-6930. Additional information may be obtained from the CCNE web site.
  4. Registration:
    • Condition of Employment. A registered nurse (RN) will have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The appointing official may waive this registration if the RN is to serve in a country other than the U.S. and the RN has registration in that country (e.g., Philippines). The RN must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA.
    • Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. On and after [March 17, 2009], registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before [March 17, 2009], who obtain such qualifications on or after [March 17, 2009.]
    • Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. (The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.)
  5. 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 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree.
  6. Physical Demands: This position 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 RN 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 RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The RN must be capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
  7. Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
  • Previous experience Mental Health patient care settings
  • Previous substance dependence experience highly preferred
BLS/ACLS Requirements: Current certification in BLS is required for all staff providing direct patient care, and police. Additionally, current ACLS is required for patient care staff that work in specified or high-risk areas (SICU/ICU/CCU/MICU/PACU/ED/and all procedure suites using moderate sedation, etc.). If you are selected for a position which requires BLS/ACLS certification, you will be required to have proof of certification prior to being boarded for appointment with VA. If selected, obtain such certification to avoid any delays in the hiring process.

Reference:
VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard.
VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3
These references can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Education

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR EDUCATION:

  1. Click on the following links to verify you are a 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:
    • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or
    • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  2. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
  3. If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACEN website or the CCNE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
  4. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

We will not make assumptions regarding your education. Please provide proof that you meet the education requirement.

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

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

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.

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