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. 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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: 1 year of specialized experience as a NP in Orthopedics 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent 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 incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, 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. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["The primary duty of the Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (NP) as mid-level provider is to manage the responsibility of performing comprehensive and/or episodic patient assessment, including initial and interim history and physical examination, and evaluation of normal and abnormal findings. Develops and initiates a plan of care based on these evaluations with consultation and follow-up as needed. Regular review of the care rendered to stable patients will be accomplished. Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Performs comprehensive and/or episodic patient assessment, including initial and interim history and physical examination, and evaluation of normal and abnormal findings. Develops and initiates a plan of care based on these evaluations with consultation and follow-up as needed. Regular review of the care rendered to stable patients will be accomplished. May screen patients to determine the need for hospital admission and may so admit patients when indicated and inform the receiving physician of the admission as soon as practicable. Orders and evaluates laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic tests pertinent to patient care needs and their pre/post surgical plan of care and provide initial interpretation of results. Orders type and screen of blood, type and crossmatch blood, and makes preparations as required for blood products for patients. A physician must issue an actual order for the giving of blood and/or blood products. May perform venipuncture and arterial punctures to obtain specimens when personnel who customarily perform these procedures are unable to do so or are unavailable. Refers patients to specialty clinics when indicated. Screens outpatients to determine the need for further health care or hospital admission. Advises, teaches, and counsels individuals, families and groups regarding identified health care needs and provides information for prevention of illnesses, management of medical conditions, treatment of post-operative wounds and continuous follow-up care including proper use of prescribed treatments and medications. Assumes responsibility for organizing and managing a caseload of patients. Participates in clinical rounds with staff to assist in coordinating treatment plans and providing patient follow-up. Performs the following procedures:(a) Wound closure(b) Wound management(c) Wound Debridement(d) Incision and drainage of superficial soft tissue infections(e) K-wire removal(f) Hardware removal(g) Excision of lesions (including skin lesion, foreign body, superficial mass, cyst)(h) Removal of nails(i) Nail guttering(j) Digital blocks(k) Local infiltrating anesthesia Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including:(a) External and internal orthopedic joint and bursa aspirations(b) Closed reduction of fractures and dislocations(c) Injection of joints, tendons, trigger points and bursa(d) Brace, cast and splint applications Performs surgical first assistant duties to include assisting in exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions, deep and superficial tissue closures, application of appliances and other actions delegated by the surgeon to carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Orders, prescribes, dispenses, and administers medication, orthosis, orthotics, braces and other orthopedic devices as may be allowed by state legislation. Prescriptive authority for inpatient and outpatient pharmaceuticals using the current Medical Center formulary including controlled substances, Schedule 3, 3N, 4, 5. Continuation or renewal of current medications, except for those excluded on the above list, may be ordered by the PA. May obtain consents for any procedure performed by the PA. Work Schedule: Day Shift, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. This may change at the discretion of the agency. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Robert Knudsen, Robert.Knudsen@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
