Summary

The Wound Ostomy Continence (WOC) Registered Nurse (RN) primary commitment is to the patient whether an individual - family - group - or community. (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The WOC RN is responsible for covering inpatient - Capital View Community Living Center (CLC) and outpatient veterans but focuses primarily on assessment - intervention - evaluation and prevention of inpatient and CLC wound.

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/12989425
• 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 Experience/Education: Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) At least 3 years acute/critical care experience
• Wound Ostomy Continence 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 - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical 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
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) Nurse II is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Identify and institute preventive and treatment measure and monitors results of wound care delivered
• Provide colleagues with useful tools to improve wound care knowledge - assessment - and management skills
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Analyze resources available to staff and identifies risk areas - including quality metrics - supplies - equipment - availability of data and information to foster a safe and supportive environment for staff learning - educational and professional development
• Provide evaluation of the effectiveness of resources - equipment - supplies - and specialty advanced therapies currently in use and being considered for future use for wound assessment and management (and may include ostomy and continence care)
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Shares educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
• Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture
• Experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform - integrating theoretical concepts - strong critical thinking skills - and exhibits a robust technically skilled wound care practice
• Provide advanced level professional specialized nursing care in the treatment and care of wound/ostomy patients (i.e. - wound care supplies and treatments)
• Identifying - planning - implementing - and evaluating acute/chronic wounds and pressure injuries
• Consult with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive strategies for patient care and methodology for treatment of wounds
• Plan - organize - direct - and/or evaluate nursing activities and services related to wound care and entero-stomal therapy
• Stage patient wounds to rank wound severity
• Recommend current healing modalities and medications used in wound care management
• Collaborates with logistics in managing the inpatient and CLC surface/bed rental program and maintains an up-to-date spreadsheet with patients currently utilizing the products
• 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: Various
• that may include: both 8 and 12 hour shifts - days - nights - weekends - and holidays
• Schedule will ultimately be determined by Supervisor and/or needs of the Facility
• Telework: Available
• Ad Hoc as determined by the agency policy
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized