Ambulatory Surgery Registered Nurse

Summary The Ambulatory Surgery Registered Nurse (RN), provides pre-operative/procedural care, including (but not limited to) the nursing assessment of patients, consent, and H&P validations, the starting of intravenous fluids including venipuncture, assisting with peripheral nerve blocks, 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. Learn more about this agency Duties Duties include but not limited to: Performs and documents focused nursing assessments, including history, medications, allergies, NPO status, airway evaluation, fall risk, and relevant systems. Conducts Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) via phone or in-person to verify medical history, medication list, allergies, and procedure details, escalating concerns as needed. Confirms patient understanding of NPO instructions, medication adjustments, and required pre-surgical preparation such as CHG bathing or diabetes management. Reviews and verify completion of H&P, labs, imaging, and specialty clearances; identify missing or abnormal results and notify appropriate providers per policy. Coordinates required preoperative tests (labs, ECG, pregnancy tests, imaging) to ensure timely completion per anesthesia and surgical guidelines. Reviews outside medical records to ensure necessary consults (e.g., cardiology, pulmonology, anticoagulation) and clearances are obtained before surgery. Communicates abnormal PAT or pre-op findings to anesthesia and the surgical team, assisting with further evaluation or potential case delay/rescheduling. Establishes IV access, obtain baseline vital signs, and administer ordered preoperative medications, monitoring for adverse reactions. Verifies the presence, completeness, and accuracy of informed consent, ensuring it matches the planned procedure and site; escalate discrepancies. Ensures all required documentation (H&P, labs, imaging, anesthesia evaluation, consents) is present in the EMR, meeting time requirements: Consent (60 days), H&P (30 days), Anesthesia Note (30 days), Surgeon Day-of Note. Confirms equipment, implants, or vendor products are ordered and available based on information identified during PAT or pre-op assessment. Assesses patient anxiety and coping, provide emotional support, and coordinate involvement of family/escorts per patient preference and facility policy. Reinforces discharge criteria, postoperative expectations, and safe-ride requirements for same-day surgery patients in collaboration with PACU/Phase II staff. Applies surgical safety measures including checklists, site verification, allergy precautions, fall precautions, VTE prevention, and infection-prevention protocols. Provides structured handoff (e.g., SBAR) when escorting or transferring patients to the OR, including relevant history, test results, IV status, medications, and special risks. Coordinates patient flow to support on-time starts while maintaining safe, thorough, and patient-centered care. Documents all assessments, interventions, patient education, communication, and handoffs in the EMR per facility standards. Maintains required licensure and certifications (RN, BLS, ACLS as applicable) and comply with institutional policies, standards, and regulations. Participates in quality improvement, patient-safety initiatives, staff meetings, and mandatory education. Demonstrates professional communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills with surgeons, anesthesia providers, perioperative staff, and ancillary departments. 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: Thursday and Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of employment 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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 examination. 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. Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12930834. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Preferred Experience: Pre-Operative/Post Operative/Endoscopy/Surgery experience Surgery scheduling experience Willing to cross train Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, light lifting, under 15 pounds, moderate carrying (15-44 lbs), light carrying, under 15 pounds, pulling hand overhand (.5 hours), pushing, both hands required, walking (5 hrs), standing (8 hrs), kneeling (.5 hr), repeated bending (2 hrs), climbing, legs only (.5 hr), climbing, use of legs and arms, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: Slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, working closely with others, working alone and protracted or irregular hours of work. 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. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.