Summary

Dialysis Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional nurse with specialized knowledge and skills who demonstrates proficiency when providing and directing care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) - acute kidney injury (AKI) - and late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD).

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/12987357
• 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 Experiences: Basic Qualifications Criteria for Hemodialysis Registered Nurse (RN) To qualify for the position of Hemodialysis Registered Nurse (RN) - Minimum of 1-2 years active/current nursing experience (i.e. - critical care - med-surgical - procedural/perioperative - ambulatory) in hospital setting
• Experience in performing peritoneal dialysis procedures BLS certification is mandatory
• Certification as a Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) is preferred
• Candidates should possess at least 3 years of acute nursing experience - providing care specifically for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - and late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Applicants must demonstrate leadership in providing - directing - and improving patient care - and possess excellent skills in cannulation and care of dialysis vascular access - including central line catheter management
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting - walking to and from meetings and some traveling to and from community providers/hospitals and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs)
• The incumbent must be able to climb stairs as well as mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs and workload.

Duties

• The Dialysis Nurse is a professional registered nurse (RN) with specialized knowledge and skills who demonstrates proficiency when providing and directing care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) - acute kidney injury (AKI) - and latestage chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Collaborates with other disciplines/departments to achieve desired patient outcomes
• Adheres to Centers for Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions for Coverage (CfC) for ESRD facilities
• VHA Handbook 1042.01 - VA Dialysis Programs Standards and Criteria under authority 38 U.S.C. 1703 - 1710 - and 7301(b)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines for Infection Control in Dialysis Settings - Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Standards as they relate to dialysis solutions and water purification - the Joint Commission - and all other regulatory requirements
• Team leads unlicensed assistive personnel such as hemodialysis medical instrument technicians (HDMITs)
• Participates in peer reviews and evaluation of other nurse colleagues and technicians
• Functions as primary nurse for ESRD patient panel and serves as key resource assisting patients navigate VASDHS
• Completes daily treatment encounters - annual clinical reminders - annual assessments - monthly and/or just-in-time patient education using TEACH-BACK methodology
• Completes monthly ESRD patient care plans aligned with goals of care and coordinates advance care planning for end-of-life (EOL)
• Monitors - tracks/trends - and reports ongoing care continuity needs and outcomes to multi/interdisciplinary teams
• Tracks/trends K-DOQI (kidney disease quality outcomes initiatives) - VA Outpatient Dialysis Dashboard Metrics - and VA Outpatient Dialysis IPEC CLABSI outcomes
• Orders and collects required specimens and submits to laboratory for processing
• Completes documentation for all clinical and technical recordkeeping in the electronic health record and treatment flowsheets in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Completes electronic encounters according to VA Directives for appropriate VERA allocation and managerial cost accounting (MCA)
• Uses a team approach to identify - analyze - and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes
• Handles multiple projects and duties simultaneously - prioritizing as needed
• Identifies potential and actual problems involving resources and/or safety
• Takes action to avert or manage situation(s) in a manner which meets patient needs in a safe/therapeutic manner and promotes healthy workplace environments
• Engages in daily Huddles using STEPS (safety - teams - equipment - process - supplies) and reports to leadership chain via Daily Management System (DMS)
• Participates in training for self and others for professional development activities aligned with VA mission - goals - and objectives
• Engages in department/program performance improvement as measured against regulatory standards and takes action to correct deficits to ensure compliance as part of sustained clinical operations and continued readiness
• .Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• Treats all patients and employees with respect - regardless of their level - personality - culture - and/or background
• Participates in shared governance - team meetings - and process improvement activities - monitors results - and advocates for self and staff compliance to regulatory requirements
• Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism - encouraging staff to respondpositively and proactively
• Supports department strategic planning and assists unit-based educational program and activities
• Performs dialysis on-call duties for inpatient urgent/emergent acute hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis procedures
• Performs all other duties as assigned
• 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
• Variable - compressed 10-hour shifts - Saturdays - holidays Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A