Nurse Anesthetist

Help Help Duties The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is a Registered Nurse who has a master's, post-master's certificate or practice focus Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in one of four specific roles and provides patient care within their role and patient population focus. The Nurse III CRNA Registered Nurse (APRN) functions directly to support the activities of the Surgical & Specialty Care Service Line (SSC SL). The APRN is responsible for planning, integrating, implementing, modifying and evaluating the effectiveness of Veteran's care. The SSC SL foundational elements serve to support delivery of high quality, timely care to Veterans receiving services. The APRN is the lead of the integrated care team established by the SSC SL. He/she is responsible for providing clinical leadership and expertise on SSC SL processes and regulations. The APRN serves as a liaison to both internal and external providers and responsible for managing the care of Veterans and the seamless transition to and from the community. He/she possesses the knowledge related to VHA guidelines, utilization review criteria, current evidence-based standards of care, compliance guidelines and local policy related to Delegation of Authority as established by the facility Chief of Staff. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. The APRN functional role includes following the standardized care coordination model, incorporating case management principles if applicable, knowledge of processes related to referral, authorization, and secure medical documentation exchange. The ability to identify Veterans requiring disease management and the process to obtain these resources internal or external to the VA if applicable. The RN will focus on providing care that is unique to the Veterans needs and continues to monitor, track and intervene if necessary in the episode of care across the continuum. The RN will demonstrate effective communication skills to collaborate and comanage the Veterans care with the multidisciplinary team in a cost-effective manner. Ill. ROLE DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF PRACTICE The Nurse III CRNA APRN collaborates closely with provider(s), healthcare professionals, VA and non VA health care providers and organizations. He/she provides ongoing professional assessment, coordination, planning, and advocacy on behalf of the Veteran to ensure that necessary clinical services are received in a timely and cost-effective manner. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. The Nurse III RN is an EXPERT nurse, "with an enormous background of experience, who now has an intuitive grasp of each situation and zeros in on the accurate region of the problem without wasteful consideration of a large range of unfruitful, alternative diagnoses and solutions" (Benner). The Nurse Ill RN demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. The Nurse Ill is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility, VISN, or VACO. Program is defined as a substantial coordinated group of activities impacting patients and/or employees. Demonstrates leadership that is sustainable regardless of role and incorporates professional standards of care and implements broad-reaching evidence-based change. Practice follows the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. 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 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Help Help Requirements Conditions of Employment - U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. - All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. - Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. - Must be proficient in written and spoken English. - You may be required to serve a probationary period. - Subject to background/security investigation. - Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. - Must pass pre-employment physical examination - Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). - Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 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 ). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. Education IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR EDUCATION: - Click on the following links to verify you are a 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: - The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ( ACEN ) or - The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ). - If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. - If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ( ACEN ) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACEN website or the CCNE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. - A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet one of the following grade requirements for a specific grade level: Entry Level (Nurse II): Experience and Education . None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities . The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist. Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following: - Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care. - Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data. - Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient. - Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status. - Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care. - Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. - Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. - Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care. Full Performance Level (Nurse III): Experience and Education. In addition to meeting the requirements for Entry Level, the CRNA has had progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures. At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the nurse anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated. Typically candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Full Performance Level practice in nurse anesthesia includes but is not limited to the following: - Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care. - Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care. - Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures. - Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. - Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. - Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience. - Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia. - Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers. - Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. - Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/37, Part II, Appendix G7 NURSE ANESTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html . Additional information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Read more - Benefits Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits . Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.