Career Center

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to function as the Dialysis Nurse. The RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct patient care. The RN possess specialized knowledge and skills regarding the treatment of patients with acute and chronic renal failure in both the inpatient and outpatient settings and possess the ability to provide hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. 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: Two (2) years with the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) dialysis population required. Two (2) years of recent continuous clinical experience in dialysis therapies is required. Three (3) to five (5) years of recent dialysis clinical experience is strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) is strongly preferred. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or Military Training Network. Board certification as a Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) or Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) from a VA approved certifying body is strongly preferred. 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. 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. 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. 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. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Job Duties include the following but are not limited to: Provides direct patient care based upon nursing assessment to patients who have a variety of medical and/or surgical conditions, following established standards, department guidelines and hospital policies and procedures. Involves patient/family in the development of care plan. Updates care plan daily. Collaborates with members of multidisciplinary team regarding each patient's care. Prioritizes and performs direct care to patients according to policy. Explains and documents procedures and interventions. Identifies and performs appropriately in emergent situations. Assists multidisciplinary team with all processes related to patient care. Delegates responsibilities to staff based on patient needs and staff competencies. Utilizes and documents patient safety restraints per hospital policy. Demonstrates the ability to insert and manage the care for all IV's, both peripheral and central access, per hospital policy. Documents medications on medication administration record (MAR). Monitors patient's response to medications; documents and reports appropriately. Reports medication errors and adverse reactions per hospital policy. Demonstrates knowledge concerning medications, including side effects; educates patients on their medications and their side effects. Safely administers blood and blood products per hospital policy. Verifies patient ID per hospital policy. Performs all pyxis monitoring and counts per hospital policy. Ensures medications are wasted and documented as appropriate. Assesses patient/family educational readiness and barriers. Develops plan based on educational assessment. Documents educational assessment, plan, intervention and outcome. Utilizes critical thinking based on data; rounds on patients with physician and other members of the healthcare team as appropriate when making decision. Collaborates in the assignment of patients to staff based on acuity and competency of staff. Functions as charge nurse on unit. Participates in coordination/delivery of approved Facility events. Collaborates with others to seek solutions to complex issues; is sensitive to the operations/feelings of others. Focuses on the potential positive outcomes when exploring the issues. Remains objective to the view and conflicts of others. Focuses on the issues/concerns and not the person. Builds common ground for points of agreement/disagreement. Engages in mutual problem solving by brainstorming alternative positions, solutions and approaches. Utilizes integrity and honesty. Keeps commitments and is consistent. Remains open to ideas and listens to others and objectively considers other's ideas and opinions. Support others; treats people with dignity, respect and fairness; displays sensitivity to patients and their need for privacy. Ensures that the purpose and importance of the team are clarified; clarifies roles and responsibilities. Facilitates goal accomplishment; makes procedural or process suggestions; provides necessary resources and removes obstacles. Sets performance goals; collaboratively works with direct reports to set meaningful objectives; implements system to track performance against goals; holds regular formal discussions to discuss progress toward goals and review performance. Clarifies current situation; carries expected behaviors and level of proficiency; provides feedback and reinforcement; gives timely, appropriate feedback on performance; reinforces efforts and progress. Explains and models: provides instruction, positive models and opportunities to develop skills and understanding. Assists in collection of meaningful data to capture the process. Analyzes data for root cause analysis utilizing standard PI tools. Assists with the implementation of new performance plans. Collects and reviews data to determine progress. Complies with safety standards and reports safety issues as appropriate. Completes Annual Specific Specialty Competencies. Adheres to all Customer Service Standards of Excellence as identified in the statement. Plans and implements service level initiatives specific to PSMS scores. Utilizes the nursing process: patient advocacy, maintenance of aseptic technique, medication administration, documentation of treatments and care, management of equipment, patient safety and monitoring of vital signs. Participate in process improvement projects and regulatory/accreditation survey activities. On Call rotation to include weekends/holidays. Will perform other duties as assigned by Nurse Manager. Work Schedule: Monday-Saturday 10-12 hour day shift. Flexible tour hours to ensure safe patient staffing.\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"]