Registered Nurse (Specialty Care)

The Registered Nurse working in the Podiatry Clinic located in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) at Garner VA Clinic. will function as a nurse in support of the Podiatrists.

The Podiatry team offers comprehensive medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle with a focus on limb preservation, including care and treatment of complex ulcerations, wounds and infections of the foot. Knowledge of wound care, and application of advanced dressings and therapies, including negative pressure therapy is required. Examples of other foot conditions seen include, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, metatarsalgia fractures, arthritis, deformities- Ankle or Foot, bunions, hammer toes, ingrown nails, and routine nail care.

The RN will assist with the Foot Care nursing clinics and the scheduling of these clinics as needed. The RN will be a member of the PAVE committee and will be able to risk stratify patients for risk of amputation according to the existing VA protocols. The RN will keep up to date on infection control protocols and protocols involving reusable medical equipment and train the nursing staff on these protocols.

The Podiatry RN will assess, triage, obtain history, and document conditions and concerns for veterans presenting to the foot clinic in person and via the telephone. The RN will also triage the consults to the podiatry service as needed and enter orders per protocols under the supervision of the podiatrists. The RN will be the main point of contact for coordination of care for patients at risk of limb loss and will triage phone calls from patients with urgent needs.

The clinical nurse will coordinate care through the health continuum, including discharge planning and coordination of inpatients as they transition to outpatient status. Duties will include, but not be limited to, oversight of nursing staff to insure smooth and on time clinic flow, patient intake, documentation, point of care testing and health screening. The Clinic Nurse utilizes the nursing process as the basis for patient care practice.

Additional responsibilities of the Clinic Nurse (RN) are to provide effective patient/family education based on individualized learning needs to include discharge instructions, facilitate communication and coordination of interdisciplinary activities, make appropriate referrals, and peri-operative planning. 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: 8- hour tours Monday-Friday, between the hours of 7:00am-6:00pm 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.) 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/13073537. 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 Qualifications: Minimum of three years of successful clinical practice. Previous experience wound and ostomy care. Previous podiatry and/or diabetic experience.

Prior recent experience in ambulatory care/primary care nursing, including care of patients with mental health and health education needs. Previous experience in the care manager role and coordinating care/care delivery. Previous experience with telephone advice nursing.

Demonstrated proficiency in using the nursing process in providing care for clients with complex care needs. Previous knowledge/experience with the patient centered medical home practice model. Demonstrated ability in the areas of interpersonal relationships, problem solving/critical thinking skills and conflict resolution.

Demonstrated outcomes in working effectively with interdisciplinary team in the outpatient setting. Demonstrated ability to function independently, use good communication skills and to be flexible. Computer skills and typing proficiency sufficient to permit real-time documentation of patient encounters enter and retrieve data.

Prior experience with determining patient assignments, unit management and charge nurse responsibilities. Ability to work with minimum supervision. Preferred Level of

Education

BSN Preferred Certification(s) CFCS/CFCN Certified Foot Care Nurse DWC Diabetic Wound Certification 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, lifting and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient 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, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings.

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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination…