This vacancy is for a Nurse Practitioner (Radiotherapy) in the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The Radiotherapy Nurse Practitioner functions as a practitioner, role model, change agent, innovator, teacher, researcher, and consultant to contribute to the development and management of complex oncology patient care in clinical areas and across services in the organization served. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Nurse Practitioners: On and after March 17, 2009, registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before March 17, 2009, who obtain such qualifications on or after March 17, 2009. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience: At least 1-year clinical experience. Experience in telehealth (telephone and VVC). Experience in screening consults and performing inpatient consults. Experience in processing community care requests. Experience in care coordination with CLC, Social Work, Medical Oncology, Surgical subspecialties, Nutrition and Mental Health Experience in teaching medical students and residents. Experience in administration/supervising a clinic. Experience with cancer and/or radiation patients. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties include, but are not limited to: Establish medical diagnosis and determine a plan of care for short term health problems, chronic stable health problems and/or exacerbation of chronic health problems. Perform history and physical exams. Initiate special assessments. Order and utilize the documented results of routine diagnostic studies, to include, but not limited to: blood chemistries, cultures and sensitivities, CBCs, routine radiological examinations, blood glucose levels, Warfarin levels, and other clinically indicated laboratory tests. Order equipment, prosthetic devices and/or supplies as required for patient use. Refer clients to appropriate licensed physicians, clinics, or other health care providers for the purpose of acute management, chronic management or consultation as deemed necessary by the APRN. Immediate physician consultation or referral will be made when acute health problems of a complex nature are identified by the APRN based on the APRN's judgment and expertise. In an emergency, the APRN may provide care to stabilize the client's condition and prevent deterioration of the client's condition that otherwise would be beyond the scope of this protocol. Carry out or sign a prescription drug order by virtue of being a facility-based practice. Understanding of the actions, indications, contraindication, warnings, drug interactions, dosing and duration of therapy is the sole responsibility of the APRN. Delegation is granted to the APRN to prescribe medical devices and treatments. May carry out or sign Prescription Drug Orders with single signature prescription authority. May receive and document verbal orders from the managing physician, which will then be carried out by the RN or appropriate staff. The APRN shall provide appropriate instruction to clients on any medication, device or treatment prescribed including appropriate warnings and monitoring of imaging and lab results. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse is required to complete the Radiation Safety Training annually. Position is highly administrative in nature. Requires excellent telephonic communication skills and customer service with Veterans and their families. Experienced with VA Video Connect (VVC) to provide telecare to veterans. Responsible for collecting outside medical records, ordering any essential test and scans, and preparing electronic chart for the radiation oncologist prior to initial doctors visit. Coordinates radiation oncology and multidisciplinary staff in the delivery of complex outpatient and inpatient care including patient evaluation, performing or arranging for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, triage to appropriate care settings, scheduling patients for radiation treatment, and gathering baseline and follow up data. Provides teaching to patients, residents, medical students and family as needed. Serves as consultant to multidisciplinary staff in initiating and implementing problem solving strategies for patients with complex care plans. Functions as a stable point of contact for the cancer patient at any stage in the cancer process. Provides direct patient care in the outpatient radiation oncology clinics, performing history and physical exams under the supervision of an attending physician and assisting in developing and implementing treatment plans. Makes appropriate assessments and referrals as needed to meet the unique needs of this specialized patient population. Facilitates consultations, and participates in the care of patients seen in radiation oncology clinics and provides follow up care. Participates in the Cancer Care Committee, Tumor Boards, Continuous Quality Improvement Committee and multidisciplinary patient conferences.\\ Collaborates with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, chaplains, and cancer program staff to ensure that the multidisciplinary needs of the cancer patient are met. Triage Consults (both direct care and appropriateness for community care) Participate and develop the Radiation Oncology Survivorship Clinic (currently only seeing Prostate Cancer patients) 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 - 8AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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