Registered Nurse - Dialysis Clinic

Summary
The Dialysis Registered Nurse (RN) for Medicine Services is assigned to the Office of the Chief Nurse Executive at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. FHCC is a VA and DoD dually integrated healthcare center providing care services to Veterans, Active-Duty Military Personnel, and their beneficiaries, including outpatient pediatric services.
This job is open to

• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• 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 AGENCY FOR WHICH THE POSITION IS BEING ADVERTISED.
2. ALL OTHER CANDIDATES.
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Duties
The Dialysis RN executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches in providing care, counseling and management of complex patient care to promote and maintain health and the prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process, which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling, provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being, and executing medical regimens, including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. The Dialysis RN primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. The Dialysis RN functions within established guidelines and demonstrates the ability to work effectively and develop therapeutic relationships with patients, their families and other professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care. The Dialysis RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.
Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrates and maintains core and position specific competencies.
• Contributes to the establishment and implementation of evidenced-based nursing standards of practice.
• Independently collects, reviews, and analyzes patient outcome data through interview, medical record review, and analysis of aggregate data. Reports the status of aggregated data and trends noted to appropriate staff.
• Provides nursing care to patients in the Dialysis Clinic setting to include inpatient dialysis patients, and documentation of the nursing process as stated by policy and procedure. Documents and communicates care, outcomes, and trends.
• Role models use of group processes in interdisciplinary care planning and decision making, resulting in improvement and/or resolution of care problems.
• Establishes collegial relationships with other staff within the facility, the VISN, and the VA.
• Refers patient to other disciplines or services as needed (nutrition, social work, etc.).
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.
• Coordinates and participates in community related activities to disseminate information and interpret the mission of the program and the VA.
• Provides leadership in developing and maintaining standards of care which contribute to safe, comprehensive, and quality services to patients receiving services.
• Evaluates the delivery of care using standards of care/practice, analyzes findings and various reports and recommends changes in practices. Facilitates QI processes at the unit and service level.
• Uses knowledge of mission, vision, and values to facilitate care and monitors quality improvements for improved outcomes. Describes and utilizes the continuous quality improvement process, roles, and responsibilities.

Preferred Experience:

• Have at least a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate/ Diploma in nursing with a Bachelor's degree in a healthcare related field; a Master of Science in Nursing/Master in Nursing (MSN/MN) Degree or a Master's Degree in a related healthcare field;
• Have at least two (2) to three (3) years of dialysis experience;
• Have or maintain current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS);
• Be proficient in the written and spoken use of the English Language;
• Have certification as a dialysis nurse by the Nephrology Nurses Certification Commission (NNCC), preferred.

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-Saturday (stacked), 6:00am to 4:30p, weekly on-call
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance at VISN12HREDRP@va.gov. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Vaccinations- COVID-19 fully vaccinated, NO EXEMPTIONS. Flu vaccination, preferred
The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

• 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.
• 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
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/12324605
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: 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: Walking, bending, stooping and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.
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.
Note: You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equi...