RN - Med Surge (Acute Care / Oncology)

JOB TITLE:

Registered Nurse Med Surge (Acute Care/Oncology)

JOB LOCATION:

Little Rock, AR

• Work site: Center Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systems (CAVHS) campuses located at 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 and 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114

JOB TYPE:

Contract

JOB DESCRIPTION:

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

1. SERVICES: This is a NON-PERSONAL service requirement for six (6) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Registered Nurses (RNs) to supplement staffing for the Acute Care, Oncology, Community Living Center (CLC), and other critical areas at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) campuses located at 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 and 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114. The Contractor’s personnel shall perform on-site nursing services during altering periods of time in various areas of the Medical Center. Based on their qualifications, RNs may be required to work in areas of the highest need on the date of their scheduled shifts. Contractor’s personnel shall also be subject to quality assurance standards established by the Joint Commission and shall perform in accordance with ethical, professional, and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policy, regulations, procedures, and protocol.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Registered Nurse: The RN will utilize broad-based clinical knowledge to effectively assess, implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist patient/residents in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning rehabilitation, evaluate patient/resident response to actual or potential health problems, and provide supportive measures for dying patient/resident and their significant others. Nursing care is performed in accordance with the Arkansas Registered Nurses Practice Act and within the individual nurse’s scope of license. The CAVHS Nurse Manager(s), or appropriate nursing leadership delegate (i.e., Assistant Nurse Manager), will provide the RN with clinical oversight during their tour of duty. More specific duties and responsibilities of the Registered Nurse are described below and shall be assessed by the CAVHS Nursing Service prior to provider acceptance.

(1) Maintain patient/resident confidentiality and a safe patient/resident care environment, including familiarity with requirements such as medication administration, patient/resident/family education, discharge process, restraint usage, hazardous waste disposal, etc., as defined by The Joint Commission and all other VA regulatory bodies (i.e., Long Term Care Institute and Office of Inspector General.

(2) Provide patient/resident-centered care by performing the following tasks:

• Assess the health care needs of the patient/resident and maintain or develop a plan of care to meet interdisciplinary goals.
• Assess and act on significant changes in the patient’s/resident’s health condition.
• Carry out the plan of care by performing/assigning delegated tasks.
• Collect and document pertinent data into the electronic patient/resident medical record.
• Complete nursing assessments within required time frames, and in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Identify and act on predictable needs of the patient/resident.
• Meet the health care needs of patient/resident by assessing and assisting the patient/resident to meet expressed needs.
• Meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients/residents and/or families.
• Prioritize and complete tasks within the RN’s assigned shift.
• Update patient/resident care plans.
• Notify assigned physician of any changes in condition.
• Report incidents of verbal or physical abuse immediately to the Nurse Manager of the unit they are assigned; or designated off-shift nursing leadership.

(3) Perform the following tasks: (A competency checklist should be provided by the agency for each staff member at the time of submission for approval for credentialing).

• Perform head-to-toe assessments.
• Insert IV lines.
• Care and management of peripheral and central lines, including PICC lines.
• Administer medication including IV.
• Coordinate and participate in admission and discharge of patient.
• Measure vital signs/hemodynamic monitoring including pain (the 5th Vital Sign), pulse oximetry, etc.
• Perform wound care including dressing changes (sterile and non-sterile), and obtaining wound cultures as necessary.
• Obtain and deliver specimens to the lab.
• Perform tracheostomy care.
• Perform non-acute and/or acute ventilator care, if needed.
• Perform suctioning including oral, nasogastric, and tracheostomy.
• Perform deep suctioning, which may include obtaining specimens.
• Assess for and administer tube feedings.
• Assist with routine urinary and bowel elimination including catheters, colostomies, and digital stimulation.
• Assist and perform enemas and other supportive measures as needed.
• Educate patients/residents and/or families regarding health and diagnoses and medication administration including indications for the medication.
• Respond and assist in emergency situations.
• Provide clinical oversight to Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, and Health Technicians.

SCHEDULE:

The contract resulting from this requirement shall provide maximum flexibility to the VA scheduling authority. CAVHS provides nursing services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Temporary contract nursing services shall supplement full time CAVHS staff on an as needed basis as staffing requirements arise depending on vacancies, vacations, resignations, and illnesses to ensure required staffing levels are maintained.

Notification of required needs may be between 24-48 hours. Coverage may include weekends, federal holidays, days, evenings, or overnights, and are variable within a 24-hour period. Contractor’s personnel shall be required to work any regular or irregular tour, with 8-hour and 12-hour tours typically being:

8-Hour Tour:

• Day 07:30 -16:00
• Evening 15:30 - 24:00
• Night 23:30 – 08:00

12-Hour Tour:

• Day 07:00 -19:30
• Night 19:00-07:30
• (12-hour short shift – 8 hours – 07:00 -15:30; 15:00 - 23:30; and 23:00 - 07:30).

Select units/areas may have tour starts that vary from these standard times.

Day and evening eight (8) hour, as well as twelve (12) hour tours include a ½ hour non-paid lunch break.

REQUIREMENTS:

• BLS certification. ACLS Certification is required for agency staff working in acute care, med-surg, or critical care areas.
• One (1) year experience in Specialty Area
• Contractor will provide proof of updated licenses and certifications
• The experience required should be within the past 3 years