Summary The Specialty Care Clinics (SCC) are the access point for referral specialty care at the San Francisco VAMC. The Registered Nurse is committed to the delivery of efficient, cost-effective and quality patient care. The SCCs serve the eligible adult and geriatric veteran population in the wound care department. The registered nurse will play a key role in access, consults, and care coordination for all patients. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30th, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 14, 2024 two weeks out, with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Nursing services provided in the SCC are patient centric. Duties include direct and indirect patient care such as: patient assessment; initiating nursing interventions; patient/family education; medication administration; assessment of effectiveness of prescribed medications; assessment of medication compliance; coordination of care (i.e., with other facilities and the patient's primary care provider); dressing changes; wound care follow-up; psychosocial support; and telephone advice. Nurses also play a key role in new consult coordination. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides professional leadership regarding nursing standards and services. Conducts and documents nursing assessments of patients as related to her/his specialty. Determines nursing diagnoses based on analysis of assessment data. Provides appropriate patient teaching based on assessment and interventions to promote health. Assess patients' ability to comply with the prescribed medical regimen. Assists staff as needed in providing care for identified patients and families. Prepares professional clinical documentation of patient care and, in conjunction with the Nurse Manager, holds nursing staff accountable for same. Evaluates services rendered and the patient's response to the plan of care. Participates with interdisciplinary teams and families in exploring and resolving as much as possible the ethical dilemmas that arise in the care of individuals with the complex problems associated with age. Serves as a consultant throughout the Medical Center for clinical care problems related to the needs of medicine/surgical patients. The nurse is expected to take responsibility for attending in-services and continuing education activities and continued progression in knowledge and skills in medicine/surgical care nursing practice. The Registered Nurse oversees wound care management of the entire SFVAHCS Oversees Wound care consults and schedules/appointments and collaborates with nurses in CLC and hospital inpatient to ascertain continuum of care. Coordinates ALL care or services that are required for the patient to be able to attend their appointments. (Ex: travel, labs, Social Worker, cohort other appointment with other clinics or services.) Overseeing the program for prevention and management of Hospital pressure Ulcers including procurement of beds. Provides directing patient care in treating wounds & ostomies for all inpatients and outpatients seen at SFVA Provide patient education on Wound care and post- procedure instructions ordered by the Provider, Responsible for all scheduling of wound care consults clinical reviews and developing a treatment plan. Scrubbing all wound care consults and triaging patient calls for medical advice, regarding scheduling or directing calls to correct service/personnel. Presenting Wound Care prevention and management In-service to every Nursing new employee orientation (NNEO) session. Follows up on every new and old wound consult, and wound care questions follow-up via phone. Responsible for training RNs in the inpatient hospital (Wound treatment association Program) WTA and NEO (New employee orientation). Serves and provides mentorship to new grad including residents from UCSF. 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, Hours vary on patient and facility needs This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. EDRP Authorized: Contact susan.bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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: Minimum of at least years of Wound Care experience Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification (WOCN) 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications Nurse I Levels 1-3: $149,816-$208,238 annually Nurse II: $172,288-$221,900 annually Nurse III: $189,516-$221,900 annually 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 physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing, frequent bending and stooping, walking, reaching, and repetitive motion. Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing, keyboarding, reading, and logical thinking. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness and hazardous materials. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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.