Registered Nurse (Wound Care)

<p>The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) provides competent, evidence-based nursing care to Veterans with acute and chronic wounds across the continuum of care in both inpatient and outpatient settings at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The RN functions as a core member of the interdisciplinary team and a subject matter expert, utilizing an inter-professional approach to coordinate care, consultation, and education that promotes recovery, self-management, and quality of life.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The major duties include, but are not limited to: Assessment & Care Planning: Performing comprehensive nursing assessments and directing the management of patients with complex wound care needs; identifying and instituting preventive and treatment measures, and evaluating the effectiveness of resources and advanced therapies for wound management. Clinical Procedures: Administering and evaluating specialized wound care procedures, including complex dressing changes, autolytic removal of devitalized tissue, suture removal, and the management of vacuum therapy and other prosthetic equipment. Care Coordination: Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to plan and implement comprehensive care; serving as the point of contact for Wound/Ostomy consults, providing cross-coverage between settings, and referring complex cases to community-based providers as necessary. Patient Education: Providing extensive education to patients, families, and caregivers regarding diagnosis, wound management goals, and in-home care strategies (including ostomy and continence care) to ensure safe discharges and transitions. Leadership & Consultation: Serving as a subject matter expert and resource for staff; providing consultation to the Emergency Department and inpatient units, and collaborating with the Wound Care Program Manager to ensure clinical consistency and oversight. Performance Improvement: Participating in quality management projects and data collection, including the compilation and analysis of pressure ulcer incidence data to drive evidence-based practice changes and improved patient outcomes. Mentoring & Development: Leading educational initiatives and in-services for nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals; mentoring and precepting new staff and students to foster a safe, high-reliability learning environment. 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: Monday-Friday, 0700-1530 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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.