SUMMARY

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

THE BUFFALO VA MEDICAL CENTER IS SEEKING A QUALIFIED FULL-TIME REGISTERED NURSE FOR THE ACUTE CARE DEPARTMENT (INPATIENT - 9D).

The Acute Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients and families in a nursing care unit/area. The incumbent is accountable for adhering to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. The staff nurse demonstrates leadership when providing and improving patient care. The incumbent reports directly to the Nurse Manager of the patient care unit/area and serves as a role model when functioning as team leader or charge nurse under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee.
The incumbent will be responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assume responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administer medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influence care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Diagnose and treat a patient’s unique responses to diagnosed health problems perform health assessments to identify new symptoms of possibly undiagnosed conditions or complications
• Teach and counsel patients about maintenance of health and prevention of illness or complications
• Execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and podiatrists, and contribute as members of an interdisciplinary health care team and as consultants on health-related committees to plan and implement the health care needs of consumers.
• Assist, through in-depth assessment, a patient’s ability to adapt to new situations and circumstances created by changes in health status.
• Teach and counsel on health procedures, emotional adjustment and adaptation of the patient and their families.
• Identify, through case-finding and critical analysis, a patient’s, families, or community’s deviation from health and wellbeing and advocate for, initiate and recommend appropriate actions including the establishment of safe environments.
• Manage and deliver restorative or palliative care to the ill, disabled and dying.
• Participate in research, shaping health policy and inpatient and health systems management, and embrace fundamental values and obligations beyond that of a private citizen including ethical obligations and a recognition of patients’ rights to confidentiality.
• Completing and documenting nursing assessments, seeking assistance to identify priority needs.
• Developing the initial nursing plan of care and updating plan with assistance as needed.
• Addressing patient safety needs when communicating patient care needs to other nursing staff and disciplines.
• Safely and effectively using equipment required for patient care, including: Procedures for cleaning, transporting and storing reusable medical equipment (RME)
• Adhering to infection control practices while using equipment and providing patient care (proper hand washing techniques, use of PPE).
• Recognizing actual or potential changes in condition and response to treatment, initiating appropriate action and revising the plan of care accordingly.

Work Schedule: Full-Time. Nights (7:30 pm - 8:00 am)
Compressed/Flexible: May be Authorized
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package VA Nurse Total Rewards that includes:
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

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/12793171.

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:

• Acute Med/Surg RN experience within the last 2 years preferred
• Vent/Trach Care experience preferred
• Telemetry Certification preferred

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 patient 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 or operative/invasive procedures. 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.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: Candidate’s education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Diagnose and treat a patient’s unique responses to diagnosed health problems perform health assessments to identify new symptoms of possibly undiagnosed conditions or complications
• Teach and counsel patients about maintenance of health and prevention of illness or complications
• Execute medical regimens as prescribed by licensed physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and podiatrists, and contribute as members of an interdisciplinary health care team and as consultants on health-related committees to plan and implement the health care needs of consumers.
• Assist, through in-depth assessment, a patient’s ability to adapt to new situations and circumstances created by changes in health status.
• Teach and counsel on health procedures, emotional adjustment and adaptation of the patient and their families.
• Identify, through case-finding and critical analysis, a patient’s, families, or community’s deviation from health and wellbeing and advocate for, initiate and recommend appropriate actions including the establishment of safe environments.
• Manage and deliver restorative or palliative care to the ill, disabled and dying.
• Participate in research, shaping health policy and inpatient and health systems management, and embrace fundamental values and obligations beyond that of a private citizen including ethical obligations and a recognition of patients’ rights to confidentiality.
• Completing and documenting nursing assessments, seeking assistance to identify priority needs.
• Developing the initial nursing plan of care and updating plan with assistance as needed.
• Addressing patient safety needs when communicating patient care needs to other nursing staff and disciplines.
• Safely and effectively using equipment required for patient care, including: Procedures for cleaning, transporting and storing reusable medical equipment (RME)
• Adhering to infection control practices while using equipment and providing patient care (proper hand washing techniques, use of PPE).
• Recognizing actual or potential changes in condition and response to treatment, initiating appropriate action and revising the plan of care accordingly

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12793171.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package