Career Center

A recruitment/relocation incentive is NOT authorized for this position. 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: Spinal Cord Injury experience. BSN 1-2 years' experience in Rehabilitation, Long-term care, and Medical Surgical. 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. 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. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. 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 (Illinois 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).\nEdward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital is a Level la major interdisciplinary teaching facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients, with a comprehensive adult Emergency Department, and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. The Hines VA Hospital Blind Rehabilitation Center provides services in a residential setting. Home-Based Primary Care is provided in the veteran's home. Scope of Nurse II: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others (VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6). The Nurse II registered nurse is a proficient nurse who demonstrates proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations that effect performance outcomes at the point of care. Practice is enhanced through development of collegial relationships. This nurse demonstrates collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources. Functions and Responsibilities of the Spinal Cord Injury Disorder Residential Care Facility (RCF) Registered Nurse:\n1.Displays an in-depth knowledge of clinical care of the spinal cord injury or neurologically impaired patient and maintains knowledge in the care of geriatric patients.\n2.All SCl/D nurses are required to be competent in the standards of practice for the care of all SCUD or neurologically impaired patients.\n3.The SCUD nurse performs assessments, provides treatment and emergent care and utilizes critical thinking to provide treatment for SCl/D patients susceptible to Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD).\n4.The SCl/D nurse must have knowledge and the ability to provide safe patient handling and rehabilitation to the SCUD veterans with mobility deficits and muscle spasticity.\n5.The SCl/D nurse assists with activities of daily lining (ADLs), minimal to total physical patient care, bowel and bladder care, range of motion activities, patient and caregiver teaching, and women's health.\n6.The SCUD nurse effectively implements activities towards health promotion and prevention, management of acute and chronic illness states, assisting the veterans in attainment of optimal levels of functioning.\n7.Collaborates and communicates with the care team to facilitate patient appointments, admissions, transfers and discharges.\n8.SCl/D nurse will provide education and support to the spoke sites in accordance with VHA handbook 1176 as needed.\n9.Works collaboratively as a patient centered advocate and build strong alliances with multiple levels of interdisciplinary team members.\n10.The SCl/D nurse provides supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others when necessary.\n11.Knowledge of Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAUMDS) fall prevention, wound care, restorative nursing and Holistic Approach to Transformational Change model of care to support the Residential Care Facility goals. (RCF) Work Schedule: FULL TIME Tour of Duty: 7:30am-8:00pm and 7:30pm - 8:00am (12 hour rotating Weekends and Holidays.) Days with rotation (work PM and night shifts as staffing dictates). OR Nights Telework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]