Registered Nurse - Perioperative

About the role

The Perioperative (Pre-op, PACU, Endoscopy) Registered Nurse prepares patients for procedures, administers moderate sedation, monitors patients during procedures, and provides post-procedure care. The Registered Nurse is an expert nurse, responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age specific components.

What you will do

• The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• The RN administers medications, completes procedures per established policies and guidelines, executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• The RN is expected to communicate timely and effectively with all members of the Interdisciplinary Team as well as relate courteously and appropriately to all internal and external customers.
• The RN is expected to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment working as a patient advocate and build strong teams within multiple levels of interdisciplinary staff.
• The RN provides specialized care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the pre procedure, post procedure Phase I, post procedure Phase II, and administers moderate sedation for Endoscopy and other procedures.
• The Perioperative Surgery RN possesses knowledge related to the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions.
• Procedural duties, include (but not limited to) nursing assessment of patients for procedures, readily recognizes contraindications for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention, verifies the presence procedural consents, H&P's, administration of intravenous fluids including venipuncture, assuring all lab work and other pre-operative/procedural testing is completed and communicated to team members, confirms surgical sites are prepared and marked, and the administration of medications as ordered.
• The Perioperative RN applies the appropriate post sedation scoring and assesses the patient's postoperative status to include cardiovascular and respiratory systems, airway management, neurological system, hemodynamic stability, pain, comfort needs, and mental status, implementing appropriate interventions to maintain or return all physiological systems to baseline or above.
• The Perioperative RN documents responses to interventions, findings, and reports any changes.
• Provides clear and concise preoperative teaching and reviews discharge instructions to patients and families with written and verbal communication.
• The Perioperative RN monitors post-operative patient's level of consciousness after the recovery of anesthesia/sedation.
• Closely observes signs of side effects of post residual anesthesia medications.
• The Perioperative RN maintains knowledge of current American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) standards, VHA Directive, and service level standard operating procedures.
• The Perioperative PRACTICE: Demonstrates expertise in professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
• Leads and organizes delivery of care to ensure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Applies advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
• Applies nursing expertise to lead improvement, with demonstrated outcomes, beyond the immediate practice setting.
• VETERAN/PATIENT DRIVEN CARE: Leads initiatives to improve Veteran/patient experience, satisfaction and/or safety beyond the immediate practice setting.
• Leads initiatives to improve the Veteran experience i.e., care coordination, timeliness to resolve issues, negative trends, or environment of care concerns, beyond the immediate practice setting.
• Demonstrates leadership in patient advocacy by protecting the health, safety, and rights of patient population groups beyond the immediate practice setting.
• 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: 8hr or 10hr shifts available, (40hrs/week), work hours negotiable.
• Department hours are M-F 6:00am-6:00pm.
• Work hours subject to change based on needs of the service.
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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 evaluation.
• 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.

How you will be evaluated

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1st Area of Consideration: Current permanent VA employees of the Veterans Health Care Systems of the Ozarks including satellites 2nd Area of Consideration: All other VA employees 3rd Area of Consideration: All other applicants IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research.

Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, average hours worked per week, name of Institution to include degree conferred date, and License State / Expiration Date.
• Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek.
• For example, if you are employed 20 hours per week, or on a half time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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.