Summary This position may be 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. Responsibilities The Chillicothe VA Medical Center have vacancies in different locations through the Medical Center. This open continuous announcement will be used to fill vacancies in all areas of the Medical Center. This announcement will also be used to fill part-time and intermittent positions as well. Please indicate the areas in which you are interested when you apply. Note: Selection location is not guaranteed but will be highly considered. If multiple locations are indicated, the selection will be determined by the service. Duties include but are not limited to: VA Nursing Practice provides excellence in Veteran healthcare across a continuum of services. VA Nurses share lessons learned, innovative tools, and evidence-based practices across the system. VA Registered Nurses are uniquely involved in regional and national communities of nursing: advocating for informed nursing practice to continuously improve nursing care for our nation's heroes in collaboration with our nursing colleagues. Registered Nurses will be assigned to interested units throughout our facility. The Registered Nurse may practice in a variety of patient care settings in collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues and his/her department or unit Nurse Manager. The Registered Nurse assess, develop and implement a plan of care that includes each Veteran's care preferences, development, and culture. As part of the nursing team, the Registered Nurse delegates tasks to Licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Assistants within the scope of practice outlined by the Ohio Board of Nursing. The Registered Nurse will remain a curious and engaged learner to remain current with evidence-based nursing practice to support better outcomes for our Veterans. This will also include completion of annual unit based competencies, required local and national training, and active participation in the annual performance review process To support the mission of the VA, the Registered Nurse may rotate to other clinical areas and complete other duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager. May be available locations with Vacancy Opportunities: Associate Director Patient Care Service (Float) Compass Center (Inpatient Mental Health) PRRTP (Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program) Domiciliary (Residential Treatment Program) Freedom Harbor (Long Stay Mental Health) Hopewell House (Long Stay Dementia) Sherman Terrace (Long/Short Stay Rehab) Veterans Homeland (Long Stay Hospice) Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation (Short Stay Rehab) 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: Days with rotation, evening, night Compressed/Flexible: May be available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for external applicant only. EDRP Authorized: May be authorized. Please contact the Compensation Center of Excellence at [email protected] for questions/ assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. This is a bargaining unit position. 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. Education. Graduate of a school of professional nursing. Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing(AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level. Nursing Bridge Programs. Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education. Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met in addition to the following: Master's Level Bridge Program Education Appointments Prior to Graduation. Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who achieve the level in their education in which they 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. Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration (see paragraph 3c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)must be obtained. Degree in a Related Field. A graduate level or doctorate degree in healthcare/management related fields from an institution accredited by the State and approved by the Department of Education may be credited as specifically indicated in grade requirements. The graduate level or doctorate degree and course work must provide evidence in support of the nursing role and duties associated with the assignment and grade level. Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Nurse. All Nurses must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license as a Nurse to practice in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. 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 Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) on a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). In all cases, GNTs must actively pursue and obtain required licensure within 120 days of appointment.(a)GNTs may be appointed temporary for up to two years but are expected to obtain licensure within 120 days of appointment. In no case will appointments exceed two years.(b)GNTs must advise their supervisor when they schedule licensing exam and report results immediately.(c)If the GNT fails the licensure exam, they may retake the exam one additional time for a total of two attempts within 120 days of appointment. Failure to pass the licensure exam twice will result in separation from service with two-week's notice. The 120-day period may be extended in unusual circumstances. Extensions must be requested in writing through the Associate Director of Patient Care Services, or equivalent, for a formal decision by the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), or equivalent.(d)GNTs should sign a Statement of Understanding. 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 -Diploma or an associate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level II -Diploma or associate degree in nursing and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 1ORBachelor's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level III - Diploma or associate degree in nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2.OR Bachelor's degree in nursing and one year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2.OR Master's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience. OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - Bachelor's degree in nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3.OR Master's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3.OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3.OR Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.OR Doctorate degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. Note: regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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. 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 Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications require the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. Work is accomplished predominantly on the nursing unit and through escorting to various clinics or hospital areas. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients. The RN must obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Must be able to pass all requirements according to Optional Form 178 (Certificate of Medical Examination). Work Environment: Work is accomplished predominantly in a clinical setting. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients. Work involves regular and recurring exposure to infection and contagious diseases. Infection Control Standard Precautions are required as safety precautions; such as hand hygiene, gloves, gowns or masks, which may be required for personal protective equipment and to promote a safe environment. 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.