Summary

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

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/13070499
• 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
• Preferred Experience: BSN Infusion experience Home infusion Dialysis experience Willing to obtain biotherapy certification 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.

Duties

• The Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse (RN} is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families
• Uses a team approach to identify - analyze - and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes
• Completes physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR} in accordance to established policies and procedures
• Triages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Monitors - tracks/tends - and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team
• They direct the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization
• They provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - transporting and disposing of antineoplastic drugs - blood products and medical waste
• They oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology setting - including vascular access devices - infusion treatments and therapeutic phlebotomy
• Conducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas - including chemotherapy administration - oncology electronic ordering systems - and calculating drug dosages
• The Oncology/Hematology RN manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events and provides pre-treatment and post- treatment education
• The Oncology/Hematology Infusion RN will review the patients chart to identify potential problems prior to and after infusion - to include labs - imaging and any other pre-treatment or post- treatment requirements
• Assesses a patients physical and emotional status as well as the patients and family knowledge of the disease and its management through the continuum of treatment
• The RN will provide infusion specific treatments on inpatient units and in outpatient settings
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• When assigned as charge nurse - the RN will coordinate daily operations to ensure safe - efficient and patient centered care
• Responsibilities include assigning staff based on patient acuity and treatment complexity - monitoring patient flow and chair utilization
• Assists with management of urgent care needs and escalates concerns as appropriate
• Ensures adherence to policies and procedures - chemotherapy safety standards and infection prevention practices
• Oncology/Hematology Infusion RNs dedicated to the Close to Me program (CTM) will travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) settings
• The CTM RNs will be responsible to maintain mandatory fleet car use education annually
• 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: 7:00am to 5:30pm Monday-Friday - alternating days off
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.