ASHHRA Career Center

Stand ready with VA to help in an emergency A disaster can strike at any time - an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or global pandemic can leave our Veterans, families, and communities in desperate need of help. That's why the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is creating Clinical Deployment Teams (CDTs) to stand ready to assist. We're looking for clinical personnel to serve on these teams and help transform how we provide health care services in times of great need. 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. Preferred Experience and Certifications - Emergency Department - 2-3 years of Registered Nurse emergency room, medical crisis unit or critical care experience, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Intensive Care/Critical Care - 2-3 years Critical Care/Intensive Care Unit and Telemetry Nursing Practice, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Inpatient Medical/Surgical - 2-3 years Medical-Surgical Unit and Telemetry Nursing Practice, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Primary Care - 2-3 years Primary Care, Basic Life Support (BLS) 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. ["Working in Primary Care, Medical-Surgical, Emergency Room (ER), and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Clinical Deployment Team (CDT) staff will be allocated among 18 networks for a total of 20 full-time employees per network, including 11 Registered Nurses (RNs), 2 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), 5 providers (including Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, and Advanced Nurse Practitioners) and 2 Social Workers. When they are not deployed, CDT staff will work at an assigned VA facility. Members of the team must: Be available to deploy with 72 hours' notice within 2 windows of time per calendar year, for up to a month at a time Work in a high-stress environment, possibly in austere conditions or an emergency setting Treat or provide direct patient care within the requirements of practice/privileges/licensure Participate in CDT training activities and demonstrate readiness to apply professional skills to a range of emergency situations Ensure qualifications and required certifications are maintained, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification Maintain CDT physical readiness requirements, vaccinations, and safety precautions related to infection control RN responsibilities include: Emergency Department - This position provides care to Veterans for acute and urgent medical problems and referrals to primary care for Veterans requesting primary care. Psychiatric emergencies are triaged and referred to psychiatric specialty as PES (Psychiatric Emergency Services). The Registered Nurse - Emergency Department CDT is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Intensive Care/Critical Care - This position 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) in delivering safe care to critically ill patients. The Registered Nurse - Intensive Care/Critical Care CDT is responsible for recognizing critical patient care situations and initiates effective actions in emergencies. Inpatient Medical/Surgical - This position 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) in delivering safe care to critically ill patients. The Registered Nurse - Inpatient Medical-Surgical CDT is responsible for delivering safe care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. Primary Care - This position participates in Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) performance measure improvement activities such as, but not limited to, 2-day post-discharge contact, chronic disease management, clinical reminder compliance, etc. The Registered Nurse - Primary Care CDT is assigned patient care responsibilities based upon PACT recommendations, patient care needs and staff competencies and will be required to complete TEACH and Motivational interviewing training within first year of assignment to PACT. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: 11:30 am - Midnight with rotating weekends and Holidays . May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs Telework: Not Available Travel: Up to 50% may be required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Available for well-qualified applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized"]

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