Registered Nurse-Urgent Care

Assumes responsibility and accountability for all elements of the nursing process and evidence-based practice when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Perform comprehensive and focused nursing assessments for patients presenting to the urgent care clinic.

By assessment, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences.

Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Updates Emergency Department Integration Software (EDIS) board promptly, as necessary.

Applies the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) or other triage tools to determine the urgency of care required. Performs customary nursing care for clinically complex patient populations.

Triages patients, administers medications, monitors intravenous (IV) fluid therapy, interprets cardiac rhythms, documents all care provided in the Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) and carries out other procedures per established policies and guidelines.

Administers medications, treatments, and interventions as prescribed, adhering to safe medication administration practices. Performs outpatient IV infusion therapy. Performs point of care (POC) testing at bedside.

Influences patient outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team and reporting significant clinical findings in a timely manner. Participates in discharge rounding and provides clinically relevant information to the interdisciplinary team.

Performs discharge instruction to include disease specific information, diet, physical activity, effects of medications, and future appointments/referrals. Assesses the Veterans' ability to learn and evaluates understanding of all education provided during Urgent Care visit and at discharge.

Maintains Resuscitation Quality Improvement certification up to date (RQI BLS). Responds promptly to emergency situations, initiating life-saving measures according to established emergency protocols. Performs CPR, defibrillation, and other critical interventions.

Utilizes emergency equipment, such as BLS carts, airway management tools, and medications as required and according to BLS/ACLS guidelines. Participates in code blue and other emergency response drills and actual events, ensuring readiness to handle critical incidents. Engages in ongoing training and simulation exercises to maintain preparedness.

Assists with stabilization and transfer of critically ill patients to higher levels of care when necessary. Works with transport teams to ensure safe and efficient patient transfers. Maintains certification in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Part 1and Part 2, Moderate/High Risk Workplace.

Maintains knowledge of and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs. Functions as a systems coordinator; monitors progress and intervenes as necessary to ensure that patient outcomes are achieved within anticipated timeframes.

Monitors progress along clinical pathways, analyzes variations and initiates appropriate actions. Is a role model in the provision of excellent customer service. Provides orientation, training, and ongoing support to new staff members as assigned.

Completes and documents Nursing Notes in EHR, as applicable, in a timely manner and closes the Encounter Notes for patients not seen by a provider. Notes will be closed by the end of tour of duty daily.

Areas to be addressed include Encounters: reasons for visit-Service Connection; Primary assignment-Service connected conditions under the Diagnosis tab; Procedures, etc. Completes the Blood Glucose meter quality check when needed.

Answers telephone in a courteous and assistive manner, obtains necessary information, communicates messages and/or refers to the appropriate team member for disposition. Other duties as assigned.

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: 1:00pm to 9:30 PM Telework: Not Available 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.) HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements.

Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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/13072251.

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: Basic life support (BLS) certification Minimum 2 years of triage, wound care, IV therapy, and medication administration Minimum 2 years (recent) of performing diagnostic tests such as phlebotomy, urinalysis, injections, sutures, splints, or dressings. Minimum 2 years experience as a emergency/urgent care nurse.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.