Career Center

The Michael E. DeBakey VAMC is currently seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Nurse Practitioner in the Primary Care Unit. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. On and after March 17, 2009, registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before March 17, 2009, who obtain such qualifications on or after March 17, 2009. Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. [The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Clinical Nurse Specialists. A clinical nurse specialist must possess a Masters degree from an academic program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE and maintain full and current certification as a clinical nurse specialist from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.Preferred Experience: The incumbent has an Acute Care certification and a minimum of 2 years of current SICU 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. Experience below is preferred but not required: (1) Performing initial medical histories and physical examinations. (2) Providing and coordinating comprehensive care for assigned patients. (3) Managing medical problems to include writing orders for medications for stable medical conditions and treating minor illness; ordering laboratory tests; ordering imaging tests; adhering diets and over-the-counter medications and supplies; reviewing diagnostic tests; reports and consults. (4) Observing and recording patient's medical progress, updating and summarizing medical records, and changing orders when appropriate. Notifying the responsible Physician of significant changes in the patient's condition, in such cases there must be documentation of consultation with the supervising Physician. 'Notes and Orders' do not routinely have to be co-signed. The Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant may be delegated to document the discharge summary, but the supervising Physician must write the discharge note or co-sign the discharge summary. (5) Write prescriptions in accordance with Federal and State law and as allowed by the Scope of Practice (6) Acting on clinical reminders (7) Performing medication reconciliation (8) Carrying out health promotion and disease prevention activities, including education or patient, family, and staff. (9) Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. 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 inpatient 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. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, 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. ["The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and 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 (Alabama Board of Nursing). The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). Incumbent will perform outpatient duties and management of scheduled and unscheduled patients, Monday through Friday, under the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model accountable for adhering to established policies and standards of care/standards of practice in evaluating, tracking, and following up on patient care. Duties/responsibilities include, but are not limited to: The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). Independently plans and delivers technically competent care to patients with complex needs. Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care. Reports equipment in need of repair. Recognizes subtle abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Makes assignments and directs activities of unit staff, (RNs, LPNs, students, PSAs, other team members). Formulates and implements a plan of care based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed. Includes the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care, establishing goals, and discharge planning Updates plan of care as needed based on patient responses. Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn. Develops and implements a plan to meet learning needs, instructing patients and families in educational needs and discharge planning. Documents the nursing process. Manages nursing care of patients. Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills. Position-specific Competency Checklist is completed annually and is rated competent in all measured areas. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]