Registered Nurse - Operating Room - First Assistant

Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Registered Nurse - Operating Room - First Assistant. The Registered Nurse - Operating Room - First Assistant will function within Perioperative Nursing Service at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System.

• 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 a 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 than an 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.

• Preferred Experience:
  
  Experience functioning in complex surgical cases including but not limited to general surgery – GYN – orthopedics – ENT and robotics; experience in cardiovascular and vascular surgery; BSN CNOR certification is required; at least 2 years of current OR experience; 2 years of scrub RNFA experience; ability to circulate cardiac surgery procedures; proficient with computers and Microsoft Office.

• 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 (see online assessment: apply.usastaffing.gov).

• Physical Requirements:
  
  Applicant must possess the ability to do the following: heavy lifting and carrying – 45 pounds and over; pulling – pushing and reaching above the shoulder; potential for long periods of walking, standing, kneeling, and repeated bending; transferring patients and objects may be required.

• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit VA Qualification Standards.

• The Registered Nurse duties include but are not limited to: functions independently in the Scrub – Circulating – and RNFA…