Summary

The Milwaukee VA Medical Center is looking for a Registered Nurse (RN) for Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service in their Community Living Center (CLC). Valor Point (9A) is located within the Community Living Center is a unit consisting of 2 programs - Transitional Care and Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program.

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/13103293
• 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: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

• This position on 9A Valor Point is organizationally aligned within the Community Living Center (CLC)/ Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) division at the Clement J
• Zablocki VA Medical Center
• Valor Point is a 40-bed unit consisting of two programs - Transitional Care (short stay- less than 90 days) and Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP- length of stay determined by goals of care)
• The CLC Registered Nurse (RN) serves as a key member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team and is responsible for delivering age-friendly - comprehensive nursing care to Veterans in the GEC setting
• The RN collaborates closely with nursing assistants - licensed providers - and other disciplines to support holistic - patient-centered care across the continuum
• This role emphasizes compassionate service - clinical excellence - and strong partnerships with Veterans and their families to ensure exceptional patient experiences and outcomes
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates all care based on age-specific components - considering the individual's age - life stages - state of health - race - culture - values - and previous experiences
• Assumes responsibility for coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care - including patient and family education and supporting patient self-management after discharge
• Administers medications and performs procedures per established policies and guidelines - including daily and weekly skin assessments and monitoring and documenting pain and pain interventions
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team and participates in unit/program level quality improvement activities
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients - engaging patients - families - and caregivers to incorporate knowledge - values - and beliefs into care planning without judgment or discrimination
• Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and unit-based educational activities for personal and professional growth
• Maintains compliance with all education and competency requirements to support organizational goals and objectives
• Contributes to facility accreditation readiness for all regulatory or survey bodies and articulates standards of care - policies - and performance improvement data as needed
• Preferred qualifications include: Prior experience in the long-term care or sub-acute rehabilitation setting
• 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: PMs (1530-0000) with weekend and holiday rotations Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized