Career Center

This area serves critically ill adults and elderly Veterans with pre and post-surgical care needs and acute and chronic medical conditions that may include a psychiatric component. Experience and/or training in geropsychiatric care, mental health, substance abuse, orthopedics, and general surgery is preferred as this unit provides care to both medical and surgical patients. The Nurses primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. 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: Medical/Surgical Nursing Experience - Required: BLS 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. 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: The position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments of facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards MAJOR DUTIES:\n1. 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 A. Demonstrate consistent clinical competence in providing nursing care Use equipment correctly and interpret data accurately Recognize subtle changes in patient's condition and respond in a timely manner, choosing the correct interventions Demonstrate evidence of critical thinking skills in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems in the clinic environment B. Initiate and implement an interdisciplinary plan of care based on assessments Perform ongoing assessment of patient condition and response to treatment Provide leadership in establishing goals, evaluating the plan of care, and in discharge planning Initiate referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate Assess the patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn. Modify teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations 2. Accurately document in the medical record patient findings, assessments, and care provided 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 of care based upon on-going assessment and evaluation Use the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and any additional systems as directed by the Montana VA Health Care System per policy 3. Use a team approach to identify, analyze, and resolve patient care problems that result in improved patient outcomes 4. Demonstrate grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills The nurse can recognize the patient has a problem The nurse can manage the problem safely and effectively, recognizing his/her scope of practice The nurse has a relative sense of urgency The nurse takes the right action for the right reason 5. Role-specific Competency Checklist is complete and is rated competent in all measured areas Work Schedule: Variable - 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM OR 7:30 PM - 8:00 AM\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nDuty Location: Fort Harrison VA Health Care System\nTravel Required: Occasional\nAppointment Type: Permanent, Full-Time"]