SummaryThe Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) RN works at the top of their licensure and provides direct nursing care to patients consulted to the medical cath lab service. The RN provides care for the Veteran in the Cardiac Catheterization Suite and supports interventional radiology nursing team as needed. S/he works under the clinical guidance of the Cath Lab Cardiologist and Cardiology fellows; in support of the Interventional Radiologist and Vascular providers.
DutiesHelp
The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:- Provides direct patient care to the patients undergoing diagnostic, interventional, coronary, peripheral, and electrophysiology studies.
- Provide nursing support via care management, scheduling and use of Veterans Video Connect (VVC) capabilities to communication and provide care coordination and management. Cardiac Catheterization Lab is staffed with registered nurses for monitoring, scrubbing, and circulating.
- Prepares, monitors, and recovers patients prior to, and following, invasive Cardiac Cath/EP Lab procedures, including continuous ECG and hemodynamic monitoring, identification of cardiac arrhythmias, response to medications, titration of vasoactive IV medications, and hemodynamic assist devices such as intra-aortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices.
- Administers moderate sedation with appropriate patient monitoring, assessment, and documentation.
- Consistently assists with the maintenance of equipment and inventory
- Assess procedures rooms and pre-procedure/recovery area for equipment functioning and readiness before procedures and patient care.
- Obtains supplies for individual cases and assures all appropriate needs of the patient care team are met.
- Hemodynamically monitor, position, and assist patients during procedures and perform immediate post-procedural recovery care.
- Demonstrate proficiency in hemodynamic monitoring, management/support of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion and operation, electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation, moderate sedation administration, and hemodynamic/cardiac medication/drip administration.
- Administers medications, including ACLS medications, anticoagulants, sedatives, pain medications, antibiotics, and hemodynamic medications/drips.
- Conducts quality control procedures on equipment.
- Follows strict adherence to sterile technique, infection control, and safety practices.
- Maintains knowledge of the functioning of all technological equipment in the Cath lab, including, but not limited to the transvenous pacemakers and the IABP
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
Work Schedule: Monday Through Friday 07:00am - 05:30pmVirtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
RequirementsHelp
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.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
QualificationsBasic Requirements:
- 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 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 that 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.
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. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/[redacted].
Grade/LevelScopeEducationNurse I, Level I
Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.
Nurse I, Level II
Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing
AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;
OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
Nurse I, Level III
Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing
AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2;
OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2;
OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience;
OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse II
Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience;
OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse III
Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III;
OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III;
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III;
OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Preferred Experience: Working in Radiology Angiographic/Catheterization Laboratory and/or Cath Lab in the last five 5) years is highly preferred or minimum of two (2) years recent critical care experience.
Physical Requirements: Involves considerable amount of standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Carrying or lifting of objects weighing up to 50 lbs., but occasionally may require work that involves pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. Visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. Works for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients. Typing, simple grasping, fine manipulation, and repetitive actions. Potential for exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous waste and chemicals. Ability to distinguish shades of colors. Ability to effectively utilize a stethoscope and distinguish breath and heart, and bowel sounds; Emotional and mental stability - ability to effectively perform the essential functions of the position and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Additional informationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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