Career Central

The Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center is seeking highly skilled and experienced RNs for the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The units are both under our expanded Critical Care Department and will provide service to both medical-surgical and step-down/intensive care patients, specializing in cardio-vascular surgeries. The RN will be responsible for the organization and administration of high quality and efficient patient care to our unique patient population. 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: BSN preferred Completion of a critical care course/training/orientation preferred Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from one of the following is required; American Heart Association - Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers or the Military Training Network (MTN) Provider certificate/card Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association Minimum of at least two (2) years of current, full-time Adult critical care experience within the last 3 years preferred and/or Minimum of at least one (1) year of current, full-time cardio-thoracic experience preferred Experience with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, CRRT and transvenous cardiac pacer, preferred Evidence of self-direction or organizational skills Evidence of effectively educating patients and patient families Minimum of 18 months of successful, independent RN practice or 12 months of Critical Care experience. 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. For foreign education equivalency the only certifying body the VA recognizes is CGFNS and its' subsidiary, International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Without certification of BSN-equivalency, the VA can only consider the degree at the associates level and pay will be determined accordingly. 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. All registered nurses with less than 12-months of RN experience upon entry on duty (EOD) date, will complete a 12-month nurse residency program. The RN Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP) Residency Program complies with VHA Directive 1077. See https://www.va.gov/NURSING/workforce/RNTTP.asp for details. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards This announcement will be open until filled. Applicant lists will be sent to hiring officials on a reoccurring basis.\nThis announcement may be closed at any time. Job duties include, but are not limited to the following: Assure detailed, current and comprehensive documentation is contained in the patient medical record and other pertinent records. Utilize human and material resources to provide efficient and effective patient care. Evaluate systems for patient care delivery and personnel management by tailoring the operating environment to the particular needs of the patient population. Promote participation with the Quality Management Program in the Clinical, Research and Educational Programs. Develop and support research projects directed toward improving patient care and staff development. Provide a safe and healthful physical environment for patients and personnel by interpreting and applying organizational controls and national standards. Assure continuing improvement of service to patients, including implementation of an effective customer service program. Understand and facilitate the objectives of student affiliation programs. Ensure compliance with all patient rights and regulatory agency standards. Collaborate with the other health care professionals in providing continuity of services for specific health issues. Improves continuity of professional relationships among the health care team as they collaborate on behalf of patients. Perform emergent care in acute/crisis situations. Perform ongoing monitoring of patient conditions and document patient responses to care in a clear, concise manner. Review and update patient databases, patient care plans and other forms as appropriate. Interact with the family and/or significant others to facilitate patient care. Successfully complete training for the care of the post-operative cardio-thoracic patient within the first year. Work Schedule: Various 12 hour shifts (7:00 am -7:30 pm and/or 7:00 pm-7:30 am with one 8 hour shift every 2 weeks); all day shift positions are to be rotated to cover the evening and night shift as needed.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]