Summary The Infusion Registered Nurse position is located within the Nursing, Specialty Service at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHCS), Phoenix, AZ. Responsibilities The Infusion 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 nurse executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex care for patients within the Hematology/Oncology clinics along with those who receive treatments within the Infusion clinic. Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines. The RN provides care, care coordination, health promotion, health education and coaching on wellness, and chronic management. The RN partners with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transition across the health care continuums, including the Veteran's goals of care. Uses a team approach to identify, analyze, and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes. Triages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. They will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies, and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization. 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. The RN is responsible for coordinating patient care delivery to ensure the delivery of quality and safe care per the established standards of practice, policy, and procedures. The RN collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to achieve desired patient outcomes. The RN is responsible for direct patient care, care coordination, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating direct and indirect patient care, identifying outcomes for patients undergoing care within the Hematology/Oncology department as well as the Infusion clinic. Assess the patients physical and mental status, educates on care plan, and documents responses to care while reporting any changes in patient status along with the ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments. The RN recognizes changes in patient care situations and initiates appropriate emergency situations. The responsibilities also encompass managing 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. Completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and procedures for all clinical and technical record keeping. Monitors, tracks/tends, and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team. The RN provides patient/family/caregiver education and information to assist the patients with understanding all phases of the process, care, etc receiving care and treatment within the Hematology/Oncology and/or Infusion services. Seeks guidance on how to improve care provided to patients and families. They provide a safe working environment while administering, handling, and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical waste. Maintain knowledge & proficiency of supplies, medications and equipment utilized within the Hematology/Oncology clinic or Infusion clinic. Receive, review, and accept consults submitted from Hematology/Oncology service along with consults submitted via other Outpatient Departments (OPD) within the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. 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: 0700-1730 various days of the week Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 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. 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.) Preferred Experience: Ambulatory RN experience in an infusion center Hematology/Oncology certification Inpatient experience on cancer units 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/12876461. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided. Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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.
