RN - Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval - award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's 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 - 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
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized evaluation service (e.g., ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State/Territory/Commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: candidates who meet basic education requirements but do not possess the required licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level on a 120-day temporary appointment (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case basis)
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Minimum two years ICU experience;
  Minimum two years PACU experience
• Grandfathering Provision:
  All persons currently employed in VHA 0610 series on the effective date of the standard are considered to have met qualification requirements for the grade held
• Grade Determinations:
  The Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade and level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed in the online assessment
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I: ADN or Diploma in Nursing
• Nurse I - Level II: ADN/Diploma plus 1 year of specialized nursing experience or BSN with no additional experience
• Nurse I - Level III: ADN/Diploma plus 2 years of professional nursing experience or BSN plus 1 year, or MSN with no additional experience
• Nurse II: BSN with 2 years of nursing experience or MSN with 1 year, or related field with BSN and one year
• Nurse III: MSN with 2 years of specialized nursing experience or related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience or Doctoral degree in Nursing with appropriate experience
• Note:
  
  Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/

• The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized care in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri-anesthesia continuum:
  Pre-anesthesia Phase, Post-anesthesia Phase I, Post-anesthesia Phase II, and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures
• Possesses knowledge related to the physiology of various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions
• Responsible for comprehensive documentation of all phases of care in the electronic health record (EHR), ensuring timely, complete and accurate entries
• Assess and prepare patients for procedures appropriately
• Perform clinical assessment and recognize contraindications for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention
• Apply post-sedation scoring and assess postoperative status across cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, hemodynamic, pain, comfort, and mental status domains
• Implement interventions to maintain or restore physiological homeostasis
• Maintain knowledge of ASPAN standards, VHA directives, and SOPs
• Other duties as assigned
• EDRP:
  Former participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport for questions/assistance