Registered Nurse-Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Laboratory
Veterans Health Administration
James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Johnson City, Tennessee
Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
Posted Sep 23 · New grads welcomed
- Shift and hours
- M-F, 7:30am-4:00pm5 shifts · 40 hours a week
- Unit and setting
- Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Laboratory · Military The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over.Adult and elderly adult male and female veterans
- License
- RN license
- Term
- Permanent
Do you qualify?
- New grads
- Welcomed
- License
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN registration in a US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia Check your license
- Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification unless identified for ACLS Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required for all clinically-active staff employed by JHQVAMC not identified for the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
- Also asks
- English language proficiency
- Also asks
- U.S. Citizenship
- Also asks
- Pre-employment drug screening urinalysis 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.
- Also asks
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959 Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Also asks
- Background and security investigation Subject to background/security investigation.
- Also asks
- Pre-employment physical evaluation Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
- Also asks
- Seasonal influenza vaccination or exemption Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Preferred
- Experience
- Cath Lab experience including Electrophysiology Lab in the last two years Preferred Experience: One or more years of experience in the last two years in Cath Lab, including Electrophysiology Lab.
Your six-month RN application plan
Start about six months before graduation. Some programs open earlier; use each employer’s application dates.
6 months before
Shortlist units
Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.
Find residencies →4–6 months before
Apply as windows open
Apply before graduation when the program allows it. Keep the cohort date and license deadline with each application.
Explore new grad jobs →2–3 months before
Meet the unit manager
Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.
Prepare your questions →Around graduation
Confirm your start
Coordinate NCLEX, the required license and your start date. Get relocation and repayment terms in writing.
Plan your license →
Why start this early?
Advocate describes a 6–9 month application runway for several regional RN programs. These milestones are a planning guide, not deadlines for every employer. See program calendars.
What it pays
- Against similar roles
- Tennessee staff median is $80k/yrTennessee staff postings that state pay run $52k/yr to $111k/yr, the middle half $68k/yr to $96k/yr, across 370 postings. This posting states $67k/yr to $126k/yr, which is wider than that middle half, so where it sits depends on which end you are offered.
- Bonus
- Potential for performance awards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Benefits
- Benefits50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)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)
- BenefitsTraditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA matchRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
- BenefitsFederal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insuranceInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
- 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
- Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
- Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
More benefits (1)
- Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance
The role and schedule
- Day to day
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Day to day
- Provide procedural care and oversee LVNs/LPNs and nursing assistants in pre/post procedural setting
- Day to day
- Provide patient care, care coordination, health promotion, education, and coaching -Provides patient care, care coordination, health promotion, health education and coaching.
- Day to day
- Assist with nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement -Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies, and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization.
- Day to day
- Deliver and manage care for therapeutic and diagnostic inpatient and outpatient cardiology procedures -Delivers and manages the care of patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic cardiology procedures including both inpatient and outpatient.
- Day to day
- Assess physical and mental status prior to procedures and educate on pre/post procedural care
- Day to day
- Partner with patient, family, and interdisciplinary team across the healthcare continuum -Partners with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the healthcare continuum, including the veterans goals of care.
- Day to day
- Provide peers with informal constructive feedback -Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
- Day to day
- Foster a safe and supportive professional development environment -Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the development of hair care professionals.
- Day to day
- Share educational findings and integrate evidence-based practice with clinical expertise
- Day to day
- Participate in activities to sustain and improve evidence-based practice -Participates in activities and strategies to sustain and improve evidence based practice.
- Day to day
- Maintain proficiency in maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of cardiology equipment -Maintain proficiency on the maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of cardiology specific equipment.
- Weekends
- No weekends
- Details
- Potential long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting 10 pounds or more This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting 10 pounds or more and pushing.
- Details
- Potential exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, and combative patients
- Details
- Probationary period may be required You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Details
- Face mask required if granted influenza vaccine exemption Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.
The workplace
Worth asking
- Can you walk me through differentials?
- What should I expect for holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to askFewer questions
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Your fit
On your path
Cardiac has an opening for new graduates. This employer welcomes new graduates for this role. See the posting’s qualifications and orientation details.
Original listing
Posted on Veterans Health Administration’s careers page.
Read full text
Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and assists in the performance of procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
Duties include: -Responsible for providing competent evidence based procedural care assigned to patients and oversight of staff included but not limited to license vocational/practical nurses and/or health technician/nursing assistants, as appropriate and the pre/post procedural setting. -Provides patient care, care coordination, health promotion, health education and coaching. -Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies, and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization. -Delivers and manages the care of patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic cardiology procedures including both inpatient and outpatient. -Assesses the patience physical and mental status prior to procedures, educates on procedural pre/post procedural care, and documents responses to interventions, bindings, and reports any changes. -Partners with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the healthcare continuum, including the veterans goals of care. -Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement. -Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the development of hair care professionals. -Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. Integrates evidence based practice with clinical expertise. -Participates in activities and strategies to sustain and improve evidence based practice. -Maintain proficiency on the maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of cardiology specific equipment. 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: M-F, 7:30am-4:00pm Functional Statements: 61424F-61428F Pay scale: NG42
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/13071975. 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/. Preferred
Experience
One or more years of experience in the last two years in Cath Lab, including Electrophysiology Lab. Physical
Requirements
The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities.
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, lifting 10 pounds or more and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.
The RN 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 RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The APRN must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required for all clinically-active staff employed by JHQVAMC not identified for the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
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 of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job…
What's around it?
Johnson City, TNFrom Census ACS 2024.
Living costs about 12% below the US average
- Median rent
- $1,023/mo
- Household income
- $57,254/yr, all local households, not nurse pay