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Registered Nurse (Safe Patient Handling Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration

Los Angeles, California

Eligibility
RNSafe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM)Nursing EducationStaff Development
Shift
Days

Posted Jul 28 · New grads welcomed · reported

Location

Los Angeles, California

$112,000–$191,000/year

Schedule and commitments

Shift
Days
Term
Travel

The work and the unit

Specialty
Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) · Nursing Education · Staff Development
Setting
Military
Precepting
You would precept other nurses

Pay and benefits

Against the board
California travel median is $63/hrCalifornia travel postings that state pay run $45/hr to $81/hr, the middle half $52/hr to $73/hr, across 270 postings. This posting states $54/hr to $92/hr, which is wider than that middle half, so where it sits depends on which end you are offered.
  • Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards
  • 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)
  • Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
  • Federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contributions
  • Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance
  • License portability (1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory accepted)
Show all 12
  • PTO
  • 401k/Retirement
  • Health Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance

Do you qualify?

New grads
Welcomed
License
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.
Also asks
Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.
Also asks
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation.
Also asks
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Also asks
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).
Show all 12
Also asks
Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
Also asks
You may be required…
Also asks
U. S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Also asks
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
Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Also asks
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Your six-month RN application plan

Start about six months before graduation. Some programs open earlier; use each employer’s application dates.

  1. 6 months before

    Shortlist units

    Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.

    Find residencies
  2. 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
  3. 2–3 months before

    Meet the unit manager

    Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.

    Prepare your questions
  4. 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's around it?

In Los Angeles, CA· © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Living costs about 14% above the US average

Median rent
$1,933/mo
Household income
$81,939/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

See Los Angeles, CA

From Census ACS 2024.

About this role

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is seeking a highly skilled and compassionate RN-SPHM Coordinator to join our Nursing Research, Innovation & Development Team at the Veterans in West Los Angeles. SPHM Coordinator plays a pivotal role in enhancing the knowledge and skills of all staff while ensuring exceptional care is provided to our Veterans by educating, training, and supporting all staff working in several areas various areas of Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Read the full posting

Current, permanent GLA employees will be given the first consideration. Must submit most recent SF-50 to receive 1st consideration. Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Works collaboratively consulting with Chiefs, Nurse Managers/Supervisors, Medical Directors, and organizational Leadership to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs for staff, maintain and enhance clinical competence, and manage ongoing education and competency programs Serves as a role model and clinical leader demonstrating excellence in practice, serves as a clinical mentor/preceptor for clinical and administrative staff, consults and collaborates in patient care and research, and educates in both formal and informal situations Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving safe patient handling and mobility care through collaborative strategies with others Collaborates and consults with multidisciplinary teams in planning, directing, and implementing a patient- centered environment Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating safe patient handling & mobility educational activities including but not limited to unit orientation, just-in-time training, ongoing competencies, and continuing education Foster and promote an environment conductive to lifelong learning that promotes critical and reflective thinking Facilitate an atmosphere of trust, respect, excellence, compassion, and caring, while facilitating constructive working relationships with all levels of staff to meet the mission of VA Greater Los Angeles Facilitate the implementation, development and maintenance of Nursing Service policies, procedures, and standards and actively participates in updates to reflect latest evidence-based practice Demonstrates familiarity with established policies and procedures in accordance with the Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Long Term Care Institute and other regulatory agencies, and VA policy.

Ability to articulate and interpret organizational policies and procedures to the health care team. Provide ongoing assistance to staff on patient care issues through consultation and education Apply adult teaching/learning theories in development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs Collect and analyze relevant data to identify knowledge gaps and to monitor effectiveness of education efforts Evaluate and document the effectiveness of educational interventions through formal or informal means utilizing the nursing process as a framework Provide just-in-time training at the bedside to nursing staff in the clinical setting Demonstrate leadership in active committee and/or task force activities as assigned Collaborate with other departments and disciplines to improve educational products with the goal of delivering highly care to Veterans Utilize and promote research and evidence-based findings in clinical practice 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: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Duty Location: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System - 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90073

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. Preferred

Experience

Experience in safe patient handling BSN, MSN preferred 3-5 years of recent current acute RN experience Skills in Microsoft office and data tracking tools Experience being an SPH Unit Peer Leader Documented experience in patient education, adult education, or staff education 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/13021395. 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

Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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 examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

You may be required…

Sourced from Veterans Health Administration’s careers page.

How this role fits you

About the employer

Veterans Health Administration
Health system employer

Nationally the VA describes itself as the largest U.S. nurse employer, with more than 120,000 RNs, APNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants. The VA has said it is on pace to reduce staff by nearly 30,000 by the end of FY2025…

Veterans Health Administration photoVeterans Health Administration photoVeterans Health Administration photo

On your path

Travel Nursing depends on where your license works. Staff experience first; a compact license opens more states.

Worth asking

  • Can you walk me through differentials?
  • What should I expect for weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to ask
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
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