Research Nurse II

Summary

The Nashville VA Medical Center is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Registered Nurse to serve as a Research Nurse within the Research and Development Service. The incumbent will play a critical role in supporting clinical research activities, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting Veteran-centered care through evidence-based practice.

Announcement CARX-[click to reveal phone number]12814491-26-BRN was cancelled due to being incorrectly posted as permanent instead of temporary (NTE 9/30/2029).

Duties

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Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Research Participant Management
   
   
   • Assess individuals for eligibility in research protocols.
   • Screen and document patient assessments for study inclusion.
   • Provide study-related education and obtain informed consent.
2. Regulatory Compliance
   
   
   • Ensure adherence to all applicable research regulations and VA policies.
   • Maintain accurate and complete documentation for each study and participant.
   • Assist in regulatory compliance assessments for research protocols.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
   
   
   • Communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary research teams.
   • Collaborate with investigators and staff to support research implementation and outcomes.
4. Leadership and Oversight
   
   
   • Lead and participate in research planning and team conferences.
   • Provide oversight to licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate.
   • Inspire cooperation and confidence among team members.
5. Veteran-Centered Care
   
   
   • Advocate for Veteran needs in research settings.
   • Apply I CARE values and high reliability principles to improve patient outcomes.
   • Address and resolve ethical issues in research practice.
6. Quality Improvement
   
   
   • Engage in quality improvement initiatives related to research recruitment and processes.
   • Monitor, analyze, and evaluate research outcomes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
7. Professional Development
   
   
   • Mentor, precept, and teach staff to support professional growth.
   • Lead educational initiatives to expand research knowledge and practice.
   • Take responsibility for personal and professional development.
8. Evidence-Based Practice
   
   
   • Integrate evidence-based practice and research into clinical care.
   • Lead initiatives to improve care delivery and resource utilization.
   • Promote shared decision-making based on best practices and patient preferences.
9. Customer Service
   
   
   • Provide courteous, respectful service to Veterans, families, staff, and visitors.
   • Handle conflicts constructively and in alignment with VA policies.

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: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• 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 ([click to reveal website link]https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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

Nurse II 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.
• Education: Aa bachelor's degree in nursing and at least two years of professional nursing experience, with one year equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; or a master's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; or a master's degree in a related field along with a bachelor's degree in nursing and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3. Alternatively, applicants may qualify with a doctorate in nursing with no professional experience, or a doctorate in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing and no professional experience.
  
  
  • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or
  • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License and Certification:
  
  
  • License. All RN's must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted RN license to practice as an RN in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
  • Basic Certification. All RN's must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an RN assignment that are also 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Additional information

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit [click to reveal website link]https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

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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

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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.

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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.