Summary

Medical Hematology Oncology Unit is a fast-paced acute care unit. The staff nurse will be accountable and responsible for providing care to a diverse population of patients with complex medical/surgical/PCU conditions including oncology. Per local policy - the RN is responsible for maintaining RQI Basic Life Support (BLS) ACLS Advanced Life Support certification and Chemotherapy Biotherapy Provider Card. ONCC Oncology Certification is a VA requirement after 1 year of hire.

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/12859774
• 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: -3 recent years of Oncology bedside experience and experience with anti-cancer agent administration and safety checks -ONS Biotherapy & Chemotherapy Provider Card -ONCC certification or must acquire within 1.5 years of hire
• -Telemetry experience -ACLS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The position requires light to moderate lifting and carrying (up to 44 pounds) - straight pulling (1 hour) - pushing (1-3 hours) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (4 hours) - standing (2-7 hours) - kneeling (2 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours) - climbing (use of arms and legs) - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - specific visual requirement (20/40 DVA
• corrected) - both eyes required - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid permitted) - sitting (8 hours) - simple grasping (2-4 hours) - fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours) - twisting (2 hours) - and mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• As the Oncology Acute Care RN you will monitor patient response to acute and chronic processes based on Nursing Practice Standards - including monitoring lab results and other clinical data
• Accountable for the delivery of care to patients with a variety of physical needs
• Utilize the nursing process in managing - developing - implementing - and evaluating the patient's individual plan of care with the interdisciplinary team
• Administer medication and document treatments and patient care utilizing the electronic medical record
• Maintain a safe and dignified environment
• You will collaborate with patients to assess and identify needs - issues - care goals - and resources in achieving desired outcomes related to diagnosis - post hospital recovery and health maintenance/wellness in developing the patient-driven holistic care plan
• Common duties include - but are not limited to: - Provide specialized nursing care to acute and chronically ill patients with a multitude of diagnoses
• - Use the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the core team (patient - specialty care provider - Primary Aligned Care Team - Clerical Associate) and families
• - Recognize emergency situations and demonstrates effective action in emergencies
• - Utilize patient information databases to identify at-risk Veterans requiring coordination of care - utilization of and participation in shared medical appointments - and use of decision support tools
• - Utilize appropriate resources - such as Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to provide efficient and effective patient care
• - Function independently and demonstrate the ability to assign - organize - and delegate assessed needs to other members of the interdisciplinary team and peers
• - Demonstrate excellent communication skills in communicating with patients - family - co-workers and interdisciplinary team members
• Ensure excellent customer service
• - Perform physical and psychosocial assessment of patients arriving in the Oncology - Chemotherapy - and Infusion Clinics
• - Proceed with chemotherapy administration if patient meets ordered parameters or - if there are concerns - contact provider before proceeding
• - Demonstrates knowledge of vascular access types
• to include peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) - peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) - centrally inserted central catheter (CICC) - and implanted venous ports (Port-A-Cath) and medication and actions
• - Administer IV fluid and other ordered therapeutic regimens as ordered
• - Plan and coordinate health education related to chemotherapy and infusions - including but not limited to home care following chemotherapy or infusions - vascular access types - neutropenic precautions and how to access care on off tours and weekends - Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Nurse Manager and/or Nurse Manager
• The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient - whether an individual - family - group - or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses)
• 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
• Combination of 12-hour and 8-hour shifts (weekends and holidays-rotation)
• 7:30am-8:00pm (12 hour shift)
• 7:30am-4:00pm and evening shift 3:30pm-12:00am is a shared shift by day and night shift staff
• Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized