Registered Nurse Outpatient Surgical Specialty Care

Registered Nurse Outpatient Surgical Specialty Care

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): San Diego, California

Salary Range: $102950 - $186629 Per Year

Job Summary: Surgical Specialty Care Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based specialty care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses and health technicians, as appropriate to the clinic setting. This nurse provides patient care, care coordination, health promotion, health education and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management. Location: Kearny Mesa.

Major Duties:

• The Surgical Specialty Care: Outpatient Staff RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Demonstrates sound clinical judgment and leadership in improving patient care using the nursing process for patients requiring specialized or complex care in an outpatient surgical clinic setting. Demonstrates clinical competence in providing direct patient care. Provides direct patient care as required. Is a subject-matter expert for their Specialty Service(s) and acts as a resource for staff and patients. Participates with RN Care Coordinators (RNCC) to navigate Veterans through the pre-op process, including necessary appointments, testing, education, to optimize surgical care. Maintains mandatory and clinical competencies required for the position. Directs LVNs, HT under their supervision. Functions as a liaison between all members of the Surgical Specialty team (administration, attending, residents, etc.), clinic staff, the Ambulatory Service Unit (ASU), Operating Room (OR), in-patient nursing units, sterile processing services (SPS) and other departments involved in veteran care, internal and external customer service. Provides excellent customer service as a liaison between patients and families to provide education, emotional support, care coordination within the medical facility or non-VA contract facilities. Triages and addressed phone messages, secure messages and consults as dictated per Service. Collaborate with Health Administrative Service (HAS) personnel to coordinate scheduling of patients as needed. Participates in scrubbing clinics to ensure orders for clinic are present per Nursing Standard Procedure Protocols. Assures all diagnostic tests are completed and resulted prior to clinic visits. Addresses psychological needs of surgical patients as needed. Provides education to staff and families regarding the plan of care during clinic visit. Collaborates with multiple disciplines/departments to improve clinic efficiency and delivery of patient care. Assists with hospital admissions and refers patients to the ED when appropriate. Assists with arranging transportation, home-care needs, lodging as needed. Participates or Initiates performance improvement activities to include, at a minimum, customer satisfaction, chart reviews, and audits. Serves as a mentor/preceptor for new staff. Performs RME updates, develops protocols and unit policies as needed. Collaborates with an interprofessional team to improve clinic efficiency and delivery of patient care. Coordinates follow-up appointments prior to discharge. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management and staff, consultants, and outside agencies. Demonstrates strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions, recognizing his/her scope of practice. Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism, encouraging staff to respond positively and proactively. Supports department strategic planning and assists unit-based educational program and activities. Participates in training for self and others for professional development activities aligned with VA mission, goals, and objectives. Provides at least two formal in-services to staff annually. Provides constructive and timely input on performance appraisals. Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems and clinical applications in performance of daily duties. Reads electronic (e.g., email) and written communication (e.g., memos, policies/ procedures, etc.) during each tour of duty and/or shift. Monitors and is economic in the use of supplies, equipment, & safety. Participates as a member on formal organizational-wide committees, councils, or performance improvement teams. Participates in shared governance, team meetings, and process improvement activities, monitors results, and advocates for self and staff compliance to regulatory requirements. Demonstrates flexibility in schedule, tours of duty, and assignments. Performs 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, to be discussed during interview Compressed/Flexible: N/A Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A

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/12840328. 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: Current 1-2 years experience in Ambulatory Care, Specialty Care, specifically Surgical Specialty; Charge Nurse Exp; Emergency Room; Inpt care Experience, Clinic Care Coordination experience helpful; Maintains BLS Certification. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/26/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12840328. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-26