Summary The Viera Outpatient Center is seeking to fill two Registered Nurses - Surgical Specialty Care who are responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. These RNs Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care within the Orlando VA Healthcare System at the Viera OPC. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards These Registered Nurse - Surgical Specialty Outpatient positions are located under the Nursing, Perioperative Service and reports to the Nurse Manager or designee. These positions are located at the Viera OPC, located at 2900 Veterans Way. Viera, FL 32940 The Registered Nurse Surgical Specialty Care Outpatient is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based specialty care to assigned surgical and non-surgical patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the clinic setting. This nurse provides patient care, care coordination, health promotion, health education and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management. In addition, the nurse will assess the health status of individuals and documents related health data in accordance with institutional policy providing pre, intra, and post procedure care. Surgical Specialty RN is required to provide post-op care, wound care, or any other nursing interventions as permitted by the governing licensing authorities and/or Veteran Health Administration. This nurse must train and maintain competency in set-up and break down of minor procedures. Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care. The Surgical Specialty nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic, specialty care through collaborative strategies with others. The nurse will be expected to float to other areas as needed and is required to have basic knowledge and competency in that area. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include: knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs; Evaluating practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence; Providing peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement; Fostering a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals; Contributing professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team; Partnering with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes; Supporting colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality specialty nursing care; Sharing educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers; Participating in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture; Entering orders for labs, supplies, and prosthetic items per nursing protocol policy. Major duties and responsibilities for the Registered Nurse - Surgical Specialty Outpatient include, but are not limited to: Watches for changes in patients from treatments, records them, and reports issues to the doctor. Supports the Physician or Licensed Independent Provider during the patient treatment sessions as appropriately directed. Completes a preliminary review of patient data to prepare for the treatment session. Performs vital sign readings including height, weight, body mass, and pulse oximetry. Helps patients directly, prepares them for care, and gains their trust during procedures. Teaches patients and families as needed. Operates and monitors specialized and commonly used equipment as directed or as training and experience dictate. Prepares exam room with needed supplies and setup for treatment. Demonstrates to patients the use of adaptive devices such as braces, wheelchairs and walkers and personal care items to patients as directed. Observes unsafe conditions and corrects them and/or reports them immediately to the supervising clinician. Report's observations of patient behavior and progress to supervisor and communicates concerns and/or changes to patient's condition. Uses practical knowledge of physical and mental illness to judge patient conditions, understand how disabilities relate to treatment, and assess both positive and negative responses to care. Coordinate's treatment schedule with other members of the treatment team. Speaks and writes with patients, families, team members, and staff. Helps train new CNAs by guiding their orientation and checking their hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday to Friday 0730-1600, must be flexible to meet needs of organization. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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/12677661. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: 3 years in surgery specialty clinics Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially moderate lifting or heavy carrying, straight pulling, or pushing, demand reaching above shoulder, the use of fingers on both hands required, call for walking, standing, kneeling, and repeated bending or climbing (legs only), may use near or far vision correctable, requires the ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted) along emotional stability. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed infectious diseases outside and inside, constant noise, dust, fumes, smoke, or gases, along working closely with others or working alone, including protracted or irregular hours of work. Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.