Career Center

New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking Registered Nurses for the Emergency Department. Recruitment Incentive is available. 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 the appropriate State-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). 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year of ER experience. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/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. For foreign education equivalency the only certifying body the VA recognizes is CGFNS and its' subsidiary, International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Without certification of BSN-equivalency, the VA can only consider the degree at the associates level and pay will be determined accordingly. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. All registered nurses with less than 12-months of RN experience upon entry on duty (EOD) date, will complete a 12-month nurse residency program. The RN Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP) Residency Program complies with VHA Directive 1077. See https://www.va.gov/NURSING/workforce/RNTTP.asp for details. ["The Emergency Room Nurse provide care for patients with various types of illnesses and trauma requiring urgent and emergent attention. The nurse must be well prepared to recognize and effectively treat life-threatening conditions. As a Staff Nurse you will provide prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to ill and injured veterans. Duties include documenting observations, assessments, and changes in patient's condition; collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes; providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems; and accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards and functional statements of assigned grade. Our facility is seeking individuals who possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work, a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program, and the ability to establish effective communication with patients, families, visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team. Incumbent leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all customers are treated with respect and civility. Ensures that whenever possible works to cultivate partnerships with our customers in developing solutions to meet their needs. Duties include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates ability to function effectively in a charge nurse, team leader, or other leadership roles requiring application of problem solving skills at the unit and team level. Engages co-workers/team in active problem-solving regarding clinical issues leading to an improvement in care. Collects current symptoms, as well as a detailed patient history and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans. Performs triage, while considering safety, physical, and psychosocial elements, prioritizes patient care needs and delivers appropriate urgent/emergent services. Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available, based upon nursing standards and protocol. Initiates appropriate clinical pathways/protocols in the ED. Assesses and continuously reassesses patient condition and response to treatment and other clinical findings. Imitates follow up as needed. Collaborates with multidisciplinary entities within the health care system. Works directly under physicians, assisting them during exams, diagnostic testing and treatments. Prepares and administers (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV) and records prescribed medications. Monitors the patient for proper medication outcome and reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse. Maintains proper supplies and appropriate medical equipment to care for patients. Initiates patient education plan, as prescribed by physician. Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury, by explaining: post-treatment home care needs, diet/nutrition/exercise programs, self-administration of medication and rehabilitation, as well as provides referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment. Displays professionalism while completing multiple urgent tasks in a timely manner and assumes responsibility and accountability of nursing actions. Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms. Complies with legal requirements for documentation and reporting of occurrence. Serves as a resource to other staff in meeting individualized learning and discharge needs, recommends appropriate referrals, adaptive equipment and approved educational materials. Patient advocate. Serves as a resource for patients and staff in addressing ethical issues. Uses discretion in confidential matters and leads other in appropriately safeguarding confidential information. Identifies potential problems involving resources and/or safety and takes action to avert or manage the situation. Participates in professional and staff development activities. Evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and regulations; takes action to improve performance. Work Schedule: Rotating.\nTelework: Not Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]