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The Registered Nurse in the Endoscopy Lab provides care and counseling for the patient undergoing Endoscopic procedures such as EGD, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, PEG tube placement, ERCP, EUS, Paracentisis, Liver biopsy, Cryotherapy, and Manometry, as well as Bronchoscopy, Thoracoscopy, Thoracentesis, Navigational Bronchoscopy, and Endoscopic Bronchoscopy Ultra Sound. 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. Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 3-5 Years RN Experience 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. 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 The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider (Illinois Board of Nursing). The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The RN in Endoscopy services patients requiring inpatient or outpatient procedures for diagnosis and treatment of Gastrointestinal or Hepatic problems. Most commonly seen diagnoses are: Hem Occult Positive Stool, Rectal Bleeding, Dysphagia, Dyspepsia, Upper GI Bleed, Lower GI Bleed, Anemia, Liver Dysfunctions/Disorders, Pancreatic Disorders, and Motility Disorders. It is the responsibility of the Gastroenterology RN to perform the following: administration of moderate sedation, performance of pre- and post- procedure patient assessments, technical assistance with endoscopic procedures, education of patient/family, care of GI equipment and appropriate documentation in the electronic record. He/she will provide high acuity and intensity of care. The Endoscopy RN must have a thorough knowledge of Standard of Endoscopic Care including RME, Semi-Critical/high level of disinfection of reusable medical equipment. The Registered Nurse in Endoscopy practices according to the standards of VHA, SGNA, and other accrediting bodies to include the following:\n- Functions as a self-directed nurse to assume responsibility for patient care and patient flow of the Gastroenterology patient through the Endoscopy Unit\n- Assumes shared responsibility for the collaborative screening of consults requesting services.\n- Educates the patient/family to understand the pre, intra, and post procedures activities for patients undergoing Endoscopic procedures.\n- Expertly assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the medical, psychosocial, and educational needs of the patient in relation to the diagnosis, optimal treatment options, psychosocial impact and individualized plan of care\n- Collaborate with primary care providers, surgeon, Gastroenterologists, and other health team professionals to implement plan of care for the patient\n- Lead others by example in making decision for improved outcomes for the patient, unit and department. Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital is a Level la major interdisciplinary teaching facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients, with a comprehensive adult Emergency Department, and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. The Hines VA Hospital Blind Rehabilitation Center provides services in a residential setting. Home-Based Primary Care is provided in the veteran's home. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm with some flexibility Compressed/Flexible: NOT Authorized\nTelework: NOT Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]