Registered Nurse - Gastroenterology

Join the North Florida/South Georgia Health Care System as a Registered Nurse - Gastroenterology in the Specialty Service. The Specialty Service RN is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. Focuses on patient safety and quality nursing care by applying appropriate nursing interventions, such as identifying patient needs, performing procedures, coordinating nursing care and other health services.

In addition to the core elements of performance, specialty care nurses in the sub-specialty clinics (Gastroenterology, Medical Specialty, and Surgical Specialty) will have knowledge of infection control principles and to prevent post-procedure infections and cross-contamination practices with sterile and non-sterile instrumentation and supplies. Practices proper handling and labeling of anatomic specimens, knowledge of common clinic-specific disease processes, conditions, and treatment modalities, and proficiency with patient education.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:
General:

• Promote evidence-based, patient-centric care; identify, educate, and coach to support self-management, prevention, and wellness based on patient goals
• Responsible and accountable for performing patient assessment, verifying medication orders and administering, verifying laboratory orders and results
• Provide care and triage via telephone and secure messaging for patient concerns, and procedure/post-operative issues
• Deliver and manage care of patients undergoing therapeutic, diagnostic procedures
• Observe, record, and report patient responses to treatment or change in condition; recognize and respond to urgent/emergent situations, activate code alert or EMS as indicated

Gastroenterology:

• Support the GI medicine clinic - patient check-in, pre-visit chart scrub, obtain relevant outside medical records, provide patient education on a range of GI procedures and conditions, perform triage and support via telephone and secure messaging.
• GI endoscopy lab - share the roles of admission, administration of moderate sedation, endoscopy tech, and recovery on a rotation with nurse colleagues.
• Perform chart scrubs to determine patient suitability for endoscopy under moderate sedation in the outpatient setting.
• Assess patient's physical and mental status prior examinations or procedures and take appropriate action for abnormal findings or distress.
• Establish intravenous access.
• Administer moderate sedation per established protocols and monitor patient for adverse reactions and response to medication.
• Monitor patient's hemodynamic parameters during moderate sedation and during recovery from moderate sedation.
• Skilled use, care, and maintenance of technical equipment/software and computer equipment/software related to GI procedures and care.
• Assist endoscopist with procedures to include colonoscopy, EGD, flexible sigmoidoscopy, G-tube change, biopsies/anatomic specimen retrieval from the GI tract, electrocautery, balloon dilation, and argon plasma coagulation.
• Post-procedure cleanup of equipment per NFSG VHS policies and manufacturer recommendations.
• Handling and processing of anatomic specimens per policy.
• Post-procedure monitoring and review of discharge instructions with patient/ caregiver.
• Accurate and thorough documentation through all phases of care.
• Track anatomic specimens, pathology reports, and patient results notification.
• Vascular Access Device (VAD) Clinic - access/deaccess infusaports, collect blood specimens, follow CLABSI prevention techniques, review future appointments and collaborate with Hematology/Oncology service line to coordinate patient care needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on clinic needs.

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
Preferred:

• Bachelors in Nursing.
• Minimum three-five years varied medical/surgical/critical care clinical experience as an RN with above average clinical and health assessment skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Previous Ambulatory Care and/or community-based experience.
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking skills in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrate strong teaching skills.
• Previous experience in case management.
• Excellent skills in interpersonal relations with the health care team and public; strong/family advocate.
• Team player who is proactive to change.
• Creativity, flexibility, and the ability to work in fast-paced changing environment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Occasional overtime may be required.
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/13098946. 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/.

Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. The incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles when reporting to or working at other off-site locations.
Examples may include but are not limited to:

• Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols