Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

The Nurse Scientist position is located under Nursing Professional Services within the VA Portland Health Care System. The Nurse Scientist develops and conducts a body of research in an area congruent with their expertise and the overall mission and goals of the organization. In addition to their own program of research, the Nurse Scientist coaches and mentors nurses in research questions important to clinical practice in various settings across the organization. This coaching and mentoring extends to collaborating with nursing staff and their interprofessional partners in applying the best available evidence in evidence-based practice (EBP) initiatives that not only improve clinical and patient experience metrics, but also enhance satisfaction of nurses through engagement in their broader professional practice. Nurse Scientists function independently to provide high quality care to a specific cohort of patients.
Duties are, but not limited to:

• Demonstrating an understanding of basic presenting symptoms, findings and pathophysiology of common diseases;
• Performing and documenting history and physical examinations;
• Developing and providing patient education;
• Prescribing and or monitoring medications and follows up on diagnostic studies and laboratory tests.
• Maintaining ethical and professional standards of research to generate new knowledge relevant to nursing practice and improve patient healthcare outcomes.
• Functioning as a consultant and mentor, by fostering the interest and involvement of nurses in clinical research and EBP activities to support knowledge acquisition about the research and practice improvement process,
• Promoting team building through interprofessional research/EBP activities.
• Assisting nursing leadership in supporting a nursing practice environment of scientific inquiry and building relationships with staff and advanced practice nurses in the immediate and larger research community.
• Demonstrating an ability to carry out research and EBP/QI and to present and publish research/EBP findings, including a track record of collaborative research activities.
• Participating in all activities related to nursing research and EBP and facilitates the attainment/ sustainment of research and EBP projects. These activities include designing and conducting original clinical research in their area of expertise, keeping abreast of best practices in nursing and health care, and participating in or leading in practice improvement initiatives that address strategic priorities (e.g., underperforming nurse-sensitive, patient experience or nurse satisfaction indicators) and other key nursing excellence initiatives that support our Magnet designation.
  • In addition, the Nurse Scientist is an expert consultant mentoring nursing staff by:
    • Fostering a culture of inquiry;
    • Consulting with staff on topics/areas of interest;
    • Assisting with the development of research proposals and grants;
    • Facilitating research study design or EBP project plans;
    • Assisting with critical appraisal and synthesis;
    • Guiding the collection and analysis of data;
    • Assisting with conclusions and their applicability to practice;
    • Disseminating findings to internal and external audiences (e.g., poster and podium presentations, scholarly publications in refereed journals) to build nursing knowledge;
    • Translating applicable findings into practice to improve clinical outcomes and the spread of best practices across the organization;
    • Functioning as an active member of research and EBP committees in VAPORHCS and broader VA; and
    • Serving as faculty on nursing research and EBP in various professional development programs.
    
    

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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • Resume

  
  
  VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850A | Veterans Affairs.
  
  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • OF-306
  • VA Application 10-2850a
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  
  
  Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

  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.

• How to Apply

  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 05/17/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11959081.

  • 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.

  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Morgan Mcgoldrick

  Phone

  509-434-7373

  Email

  Morgan.McGoldrick@va.gov

  Address

  VA Portland Health Care System
  3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road
  Portland, OR 97239
  US

  Next steps

  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
  
  NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens