Registered Nurse – Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)

Overview

CVP seeks Registered Nurses to join our team in providing our Nation's Veterans with high-quality acute inpatient care at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (LSCVAMC) in Cleveland, OH. Med-Surg RNs will deliver direct nursing care across a range of acute care and telemetry units, including oncology, general medical-surgical, post-operative surgical recovery, rehabilitation and neurological care, and progressive/step-down care.

 

This is a high-volume, fast-paced environment requiring strong clinical assessment skills, the ability to manage complex patient populations, and comfort with continuous telemetry monitoring. Shifts are primarily 12 hours, with some 8-hour and 10-hour shifts available. Day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday availability is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform head-to-toe patient assessments, establish nursing priorities, and develop and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
• Administer medications including IV therapy, manage Heparin drips and coagulation bridging, and administer blood products in accordance with facility policy.
• Monitor and interpret telemetry and cardiac rhythms, responding appropriately to arrhythmias and other cardiac changes.
• Manage and maintain central and peripheral lines, including PICC lines, chest tubes, drainage tubes, nephrostomy tubes, pleurx catheters, and Foley catheters.
• Administer biotherapy and chemotherapy to oncology patients in accordance with established protocols and Oncology-specific competencies (4A Oncology unit).
• Provide post-operative care to patients recovering from thoracic, vascular, general surgery, GI, urology, ophthalmology, orthopedic, and ENT procedures (5A Med-Surg unit).
• Deliver specialized care for patients with neurological conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological disorders, supporting rehabilitation and recovery goals (5B Rehab-Neurological unit).
• Provide step-down-level monitoring and care for patients in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU), including oral and IV antiarrhythmic drug loading under continuous cardiac monitoring.
• Perform wound care including sterile and non-sterile dressing changes, surgical site care, wound VAC management, ostomy care, and skin assessments to prevent Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPU).
• Conduct and document Fall Risk Assessments and Braden Scale assessments, implementing appropriate preventive interventions.
• Coordinate and participate in admissions, discharges, and internal and external patient transfers.
• Assess and address psychiatric and behavioral concerns in patients with co-occurring medical and mental health needs, including patients on 1:1 sitter/therapeutic assistant status for suicidal or homicidal ideation.
• Manage patients experiencing drug and alcohol withdrawal, providing appropriate monitoring and intervention.
• Communicate pertinent patient data to charge nurse and/or physician as appropriate and document all care accurately in the EHR prior to end of shift.
• Delegate appropriately to Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Health Technicians, and Intermediate Care Technicians.
• Use Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) with 100% accuracy in applicable areas.
• Float among units within the Med-Surg service area as directed by the VA Nurse Manager or designee based on operational needs.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement activities, Unit Practice Council (UPC) meetings, Nursing Quality Council, Professional Practice Council, unit staff meetings, safety huddles, and bedside reporting as required.
• Report all patient safety incidents to the COR within 24 hours in accordance with VA patient safety policy.
• Maintain compliance with all VA, Joint Commission, and facility-specific policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible to obtain a Public Trust government security clearance; U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse license from the Ohio Board of Nursing or a current multi-state license from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct patient care experience within the last three (3) years; experience in medical-surgical, telemetry, or acute care nursing is strongly preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or equivalent accredited certifying body.
• Current CPR certification from an American Heart