Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

The VA New Jersey Health Care System is looking to recruit several Registered Nurses to work on a Temporary, Intermittent basis at the Lyons Medical Center, as part of the Community Living Centers/Long Term Care team. The Community Living Center Registered Nurse is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned residents and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the care setting.

The Community Living Center (CLC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care, and administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. The incumbent will influence care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team, with core elements of performance to include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

The CLC RN will evaluate patients in the CLC upon admission to the restorative care program and quarterly thereafter to determine the potential for the program, and is responsible for screening Veterans and conducting initial assessment prior to admission. He/she will outline and implement measurable functional goals for Veterans to reach their highest level of function and maximize their independence. Duties include but are not limited to: Collaborate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.

Demonstrate performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for restorative residents. Outline and implement measurable functional goals for Veterans to reach their highest level of function and maximize their independence. Collaborate with educators, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy in recruiting and admitting patients to the Restorative Care Program, develop goals to maximize the patient's independence/functioning, and evaluate patient progress toward their goals quarterly and institutes changes in therapy, goals, and activity when necessary.

Complete the restorative nursing sections of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), specifically the observation period, quarterly reassessments, and significant changes in care. Act as a role model, mentor, and coach to the program's staff, while providing developmental opportunities for program staff to acquire clinical restorative nursing skills and expertise. Implement strategies and programs for restorative nursing care that is consistent with the facilities mission, vision, policies, goals, and objectives.

Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement, support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care, and foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Intermittent.

Temporary (not to exceed a year). Day/Evening/Night Tours of duty available, and will be discussed at interview. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized.

Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package VA Nurse Total Rewards

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/13092746. 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

BSN preferred. Current, professional nursing experience in community living center, sub-acute care, behavioral health, or long-term care setting highly preferred. Experience with dementia care, suicide risk, infection prevention, and end of life care highly preferred. Veteran centered nursing care with complex medical, functional, cognitive, and behavioral health needs preferred. Experience completing assessments, developing, implementing, and evaluating individualized care plans preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical

Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.

Mechanical patient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).

Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department…