Career Center

Summary

The Western New York VA Medical Center is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) - Oncology / Hematology to work at the Buffalo Location. The Oncology / Hematology RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

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/12733827
• 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: BSN At least 3 years RN experience in medical/surgical setting Trained and competent in chemotherapy and other anti-cancer administration used for cancer and/or non-cancer treatment Oncology nursing national certification (Oncology Certified Nurse® or OCN®) through ONCC
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The position requires the incumbent to have visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• The incumbent must be mature - flexible - and sensible - capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• This position requires limited periods of standing - stooping - bending - pulling - pushing - walking - and be able to lift up to 35 pounds
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• This position also requires sitting for long periods typing on computer keyboard - looking at computer monitor - and using the telephone
• The incumbent maybe exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials requiring the incumbent to don protective clothing and equipment in isolation situations or during invasive patient procedures
• The incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative or aggressive related to neurologic or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must meet the required screening/testing and be medically cleared by Employee Occupational Health as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The Infusion Oncology/Hematology Registered Nurse (RN) is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families
• The duties include but are not limited to: Uses a team approach to identify - analyze - and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes
• Completes physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and procedures
• Triages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Monitors - tracks/tends - and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team
• Direct the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization
• Provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste
• Oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology setting - including vascular access devices and infusion treatments
• Conducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas - including chemotherapy administration - oncology electronic ordering systems - and calculating drug dosages
• Manages monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• 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: Full time - Days - 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.