Summary

The Registered Nurse - Wound Ostomy Care position is within the VA South Texas Health Care System in San Antonio - TX.

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
• PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Wound - Ostomy and Continence certified Minimum 3 years of Inpatient experience Minimum 3 years of wound care experience 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/12756210
• 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: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Light lifting - under 15 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Straight pulling (1 hour)
• Pushing (1-3 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (4 hours)
• Standing (2-7 hours)
• Kneeling (2 hours)
• Repeated bending (2 hours)
• Climbing - use of legs and arms
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Vision 20/40 DVA - Corrected
• Both eyes required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Sitting (8 hours)
• Simple grasping (2-4 hours)
• Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours)
• Twisting (2 hours)
• Mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for the delivery of care to patients/residents with wound and ostomy problems - specifically draining wounds - fistulas - acute and chronic wounds of various etiologies
• He or she plays a vital role in patient/family and staff education - and discharge planning and functions as a leader by assuming additional responsibility for improvement of patient care
• The Wound Care RN ensures that nursing practice is consistent with external standards such as WOCN Association - TJC - Clinical Practice Guidelines and The Long-Term Care State Operations Manual as well as internal standards
• The Wound Care RN is the key provider for the ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of the quality and effectiveness of nursing care and services as they affect the resident outcomes
• The Wound Care RN will report to the Wound Program Manager and may be required to travel to clinics and main campus within the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System locations
• The major duties and responsibilities for all of the following duties (but not limited to): Managing skin care - wound care - and draining wound management - and nutrition related to wound healing
• Participating in the assessment of educational needs of staff relating to maintaining skin integrity
• Maintaining knowledge of current techniques - trends - and professional issues
• Addressing the care and treatment for pressure injury and acute and/or chronic wounds from other etiologies will be required
• Actively participating in New Employee Nursing Orientation and Facilitating continuing education opportunities for South Texas Nursing Service
• Working with direct care staff and provides wound care to patients/residents throughout South Texas Healthcare System that will encompass inpatient - outpatient and Community Living Center (CLC)
• Providing safe - prompt - and skillful nursing care for patients/residents requiring wound treatment and/or procedures
• Performing specialized wound care and procedures - such as complex dressing changes - removal of devitalized tissue - removal of sutures and other procedures as per specialty training - referring complex cases to appropriate treating specialty as needed
• Reviewing and analyzing skin reports via VSSC and IPEC
• Serving as a chair/co-chair of the Inter-professional /Professional Pressure Injury Committee and or Skin Champion Committee
• Actively serve as ADHOC member to facility-based Quality Improvement initiatives throughout South Texas Healthcare System
• Additionally - will complete required reports and submit to other committees within South Texas Healthcare System
• 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: M-F 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This position is part of the Bargaining unit.