Nurse Anesthetist - CRNA

Summary
This position may be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: 1) CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FACILITY. 2) CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE VA NATIONWIDE, 3) ALL OTHER CANDIDATES.
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Duties
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
The CRNA will function under the supervision and general direction of the anesthesiologist or the operating room surgeon to safely provide anesthesia to surgical patients for a variety of operations and/or procedures. The CRNA will perform pre-anesthesia patient evaluations/histories, prepares anesthesia plans, delivers all forms of anesthesia, and follows up on anesthesia cases. VAIHCS is a small-scale facility that provides basic ambulatory surgical services for Veterans in our region and functions much like a surgical center. Case mix consists of providing general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care for basic procedures within general surgery, urology, podiatry, ophthalmology, and endoscopy. The anesthesia team currently consists of four CRNAs and the facility is actively recruiting to add a board-certified anesthesiologist as well. No ICU coverage responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs the pre-anesthetic patient evaluations and history and physicals, including the collection of preoperative consults and data, and formulates appropriate anesthetic plans.
• Ensures the anesthetic risks, benefits, and options are described to the patient.
• Administers inhalation, regional, intravenous, local and topical anesthetics and continuously evaluates the patient's physical status and responses to anesthesia.
• Performs post-anesthetic management of patients in order to optimize the recovery from anesthesia and minimize pain.
• Ensures accurate and timely medical record documentation.
• Appropriately responds to all codes and airway rescues.
• Provides emergency airway and resuscitation management throughout the facility.
• Practices with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care while demonstrating effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and interdisciplinary teamwork.
• Assists with quality assurance activities facility wide and specific to the Specialty Service and conducts routine maintenance and cleaning of anesthesia equipment.
• Participates in committees, peer review process, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Chief of Specialty Service, the Medical Director of Specialty Medicine/Surgery, or designee.

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: Day Shift
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Requirements
Conditions 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.
• 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. The Nurse Anesthetist must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA. The appointing official may waive this requirement if the Nurse Anesthetist is to serve in a country other than the United States and has registration in that country (e.g. Philippines).
• Certification. (1) On and after May 4, 1993, certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to non-certified Nurse Anesthetists employed by VA as a Nurse Anesthetist prior to May 4, 1993 and continuously thereafter. Any Nurse Anesthetist who leaves VA employment or vacates the Nurse Anesthetist occupation for another VA position, must meet the current requirement of certification for re-appointment as a Nurse Anesthetist. The CCNA and the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists have designated the AANA's web site as a display agent for their information.(2) Nurse Anesthetists will maintain recertification by meeting the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetist's requirements as a condition of employment.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Entry Level: (Nurse II) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist. Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following:1. Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care.2. Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data.3. Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient.4. Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status.5. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care.6. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.7. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.8. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care.
• Full Performance Level: (Nurse III) Experience and Education. In addition to meeting the requirements for Entry Level, the CRNA has had progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures. At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the Nurse Anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated. Typically, candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Full Performance Level practice in nurse anesthesia includes but is not limited to the following:1. Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care.2. Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge & skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care.3. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures.4. Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment.5. Ability to apply new developments & theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations.6. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues & peers in a team concept of anesthesia care & blend management skills with technical experience.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Physical Requirements: Requires lifting 15-44 pounds; pushing (approx. 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers & both hands; walking & standing from 3-5 hours and kneeling. Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far visions correctable in one eye to 20/20 & to 20/40 in the other. Must have depth perception & ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors. Hearing aid is permitted.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of...