Summary

The VA Puget Sound Healthcare System is recruiting for several RNs to perform duties with the Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Laboratory at the VA Medical Center in Seattle - Washington.

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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12945791
• 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 Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing 1 year of EP or Cath Lab procedural experience 2-3 years critical care or procedural care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) - straight pulling (6 hours) - pushing (2 hours) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (6 hours) - standing (2 hours) - repeated bending (6 hours) - both legs required - ability to distinguish basic colors - visual acuity 20/30 corrected.

Duties

• Major duties will include but are not limited to: Responsible for accessing the need of each patient and performing duties requiring training and experience as related to the Non-Invasive cardiology procedures - Cardiac Catheterization (Cath Lab) - and Electrophysiology (EP) - meeting the needs of the patient
• Provide specific information to help the patient and family understand pre - intra and post procedure activities
• Have a working knowledge of major cardiac diagnosis - and medications used in the procedure labs - medications used during emergency situations - knowledge of sterile technique - and flexibility to assist wherever needed
• Responsible for administration of IV sedation - monitoring patients and may be needed to assist the physician and or medical instrument technologist - registered coronary intervention specialist (MIT-RCIS) wherever possible during invasive procedures
• Possesses the ability to cross-cover all necessary clinic areas and other responsibilities as assigned
• Must participate in quality improvement and educational development of self and others
• Requires flexibility in schedule and assignments - as procedures occasionally run longer than expected - and emergent cases may happen while staff are still on shift
• Must be proficient in caring for venous and arterial sheaths and initiating peripheral IV sites - and collecting venous and arteriole labs is required
• Must be competent in EKG rhythm recognition - clinical competence in hemodynamic monitoring - data interpretation - and various cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures
• Must demonstrate advanced nursing skills to manage and assist with emergent or life-threatening situations (airway management and resuscitation efforts)
• Possesses the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively provide monitoring and administration of moderate sedation medications
• Must be proficient in different levels of PPE
• Must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds
• Willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments
• Is willing to listen to others - contributes to discussion - maintains confidentiality - provides - and accepts constructive criticism appropriately - appreciated other points of view and works to collaborative solutions to care
• Makes caring for the veteran a priority and demonstrates customer service principles
• Self-motivated in the pursuit of meeting professional standards
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic radiation safety principles and appropriate methods to minimize patient and staff exposure
• This position requires potentially long periods of time wearing lead
• 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: Full-time
• Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm
• A compressed work schedule may also be available (7:30am - 6:00pm)
• There is an On-Call requirement for this position
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized