The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse will provide care functioning as a primary care nurse for a 1-3 patient assignment and will collaborate with nursing staff, physicians, and other interdisciplinary team members responsible for patient care as assigned. This area serves critically ill adult/elderly Veterans and patients whom often present with multiple chronic medical conditions, which may include psychiatric components. 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: Minimum of two (2) years in the ICU 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 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 and approximately 2-3 years 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: 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 and 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 a mature, flexible, sensible individual 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. ["This area serves critically ill adult/elderly Veterans and patients whom often present with multiple chronic medical conditions, which may include psychiatric components. Patients may need advance life support including mechanical ventilation. The ICU serves as a Surgical Post Anesthesia Recovery Room and Post-Operative Care area for critically ill patients. Recovery is also provided for surgical patients including general, orthopedic, and urology surgeries. Additional duties include maintaining competencies and training required for ICU. The RN will cross-train to other inpatient units to provide relief coverage after orientation has been complete for the unit. The RN will be self-directed in completing orientation and on-going mandatory education, actively participating in annual competency assessment and validation. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 1. Provide a full range of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice Demonstrate consistent clinical competence in providing nursing care Initiate and implement an interdisciplinary plan of care based on assessments 2. Accurately document in the medical record patient findings, assessments, and care provided Ensure documentation is technically informative, complete, accurate, consistent, concise, and timely Evaluate and document patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes Revise interdisciplinary plan(s) of care based upon on-going patient assessment and evaluation Use the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software, and any additional systems as directed by VAMTHCS per policy 3. Effectively function as the charge nurse or in other leadership roles that guide and direct other who provide patient care Make assignments and direct activities of other unit staff, (RNs, LPNs, NAs, students, MSAs, other team members) Assign patient care responsibilities based upon patient needs and competencies of staff Organize and complete own assignments in a safe and timely manner, assist team members as necessary Provide direction to staff for unit activities in meeting patient care needs Ensure delegated tasks as assigned are complete by other staff Ensure the physician and/or the nurse manager/immediate supervisor/coordinator are notified of untoward events involving patients and staff, either by assigned RN or by self. 4. Use a team approach, apply the elements of the Care Partnership Model, when identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems that result in improved patient outcomes. 5. Demonstrate grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills The RN can recognize the patient has a problem The RN can manage the problem safely and effectively, recognizing his/her scope of practice The RN has a relative sense of urgency The RN will take the right action for the right reason 6. Role-Specific Competency Checklist is complete and is rated competent in all measured areas Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 12 Hour Rotating Shifts Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Service: Intensive Care Unit - ICU Duty Station: Fort Harrison\nTravel Required: 25% Or Less"]