Registered Nurse

Summary The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Registered Nurse (RN) assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Administers medication and procedures per establishing policies and guidelines. Duties Spinal Cord Injury Nurse (RN) focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. Duties include but not limited to; Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Administers medication and procedures per establishing policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Supports and actively participates in initiatives such as High Reliability Organization (HRO), Patient Centered Care, Just Culture, and

I Care.

Works with close supervision, is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and seeks direction from others as needed. Establishes a therapeutic relationship, allowing the patient to attain, maintain or regain optimal function through assessment and treatment. Engages patients, families, and other caregivers to incorporate knowledge, values, and beliefs into care planning without judgement or discrimination. Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers. Communicates with hub site related to current issues in Spinal Cord Injury. Attends required training and maintains current knowledge of SCI/D. Participates in team meetings and treatment planning. Provides insights into patient care needs and additional resources for the specific Veteran population. Actively focuses on the patient in the context of family, home and community by integrating individual, family dynamics, cultural background and readiness to participate in to the patient's plan of care. Conducts a comprehensive assessment of the patient's health and psychosocial needs, including health literacy status and deficits, and develops a plan collaboratively with the patient and family or caregiver. Plans with patient, family or caregiver, the specialist, the PACT team, other health care providers, and the community to maximize health care responses, quality, and cost-effective outcomes. Facilitates communication and coordination between members of the health care team, involving the patient in the decision-making process to minimize fragmentation in services. Educate the patient, the family or caregiver, and members of the health care delivery team about treatment options (including but not limited to CVT, HT, evidenced based protocols), community resources, psychosocial concerns, and case management, so that timely and informed decisions can be made. Proficient in understanding Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) guidelines and demonstrates competency in application of pertinent equipment RME processes. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards 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 Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision

• All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nu