Summary

The Specialty Care Outpatient Staff Nurse (RN)/ CT SCAN- MRI position is located within the Specialty Clinics of the Nursing and Ambulatory Care Service at the Miami VA Healthcare System. The RN functions under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services and plays a key role in delivering high-quality outpatient specialty care to Veterans. Review the "Required Documents" section to ensure a complete application package

Qualifications

Basic 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/12949696
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse 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
• Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate is a proficient professional nurse with a comprehensive background in cardiovascular care and device management
• Preferred qualifications include: Recent professional nursing experience in an Emergency Department (ED) - Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - or radiology/imaging environment
• Experience performing venous access procedures - including IV insertion and administration of contrast media
• Experience providing physiologic monitoring for patients undergoing CT - MRI - or other imaging procedures - including patients receiving contrast or moderate sedation
• Knowledge of MRI safety procedures - CT radiation safety principles (ALARA) - and patient screening protocols
• Experience recognizing and responding to changes in patient condition - adverse reactions - or medical emergencies in a procedural environment
• Experience collaborating with a multidisciplinary team including radiologists - technologists - and anesthesia providers
• Experience providing patient education related to imaging preparation - safety screening - and post-procedure care
• Certification in Radiology Nursing (CRN) or other imaging-related specialty certification is preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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
• 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
• The environment's pace can vary
• The incumbent must have the ability to priority patient care needs
• Weigh limitations vary depending on area of service and functional duties.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Registered Nurse assigned to Outpatient Specialty Care CT Scan/MRI provides specialized outpatient nursing care to Veterans undergoing diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures
• The nurse is responsible for assessing - planning - implementing - and evaluating patient care while ensuring safe imaging practices and compliance with established clinical guidelines
• The role includes coordination of care - patient education - physiologic monitoring during imaging procedures - and collaboration with radiologists - technologists - and the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote safe - high-quality patient outcomes
• The duties of the Registered Nurse- Specialty Care Outpatient/CT SCAN & MRI include but not limited to: Performs comprehensive nursing assessments and develops individualized care plans for patients undergoing CT or MRI procedures
• Coordinates and delivers nursing care across the continuum of care - including patient education - health promotion - disease prevention - and chronic care management
• Reviews patient charts prior to imaging procedures to verify orders - allergies - laboratory results - weight - and other clinical risk factors associated with contrast administration
• Conducts pre-procedure patient screening and education - including review of MRI safety questionnaires and evaluation of contraindications for imaging procedures
• Performs venous access procedures including insertion and discontinuation of peripheral IV lines for contrast administration and other clinical needs
• Administers medications and contrast agents in accordance with VA policies - clinical protocols - and provider orders
• Monitors patients undergoing CT or MRI procedures - including those receiving contrast or sedation - and observes for signs of complications or adverse reactions
• Coordinates patient care interventions such as IV hydration for patients with reduced kidney function according to CT contrast safety guidelines
• Performs point-of-care testing and communicates abnormal findings to providers as appropriate
• Responds to medical emergencies including contrast reactions - seizures - respiratory distress - or cardiac events and initiates life-saving interventions according to ACLS guidelines
• Maintains emergency preparedness by ensuring crash cart readiness and compliance with equipment and safety standards
• Provides patient and family education regarding procedures - imaging preparation - safety screening - and post-procedure care
• Collaborates with radiologists - technologists - anesthesia providers - and other interdisciplinary team members to coordinate safe and effective patient care
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives - evidence-based practice activities - and program-level efforts to enhance patient care outcomes
• Supports professional development and knowledge sharing among staff and contributes to a culture of safety - teamwork - and continuous improvement
• Ensures compliance with privacy - information security - accreditation standards - and VA policies related to patient care and documentation
• Performs other duties as assigned and maintains flexibility to support operational needs within specialty clinics
• 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: Full Time - Monday through Friday from 7:00am - 3:30 pm potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.