Summary PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will remain on file through December 31, 2024. Eligible applicants will be referred each month as vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Responsibilities In compliance with VA Policy & union requirements/recommendations for Title 38 clinical positions, internal facility employees must receive first consideration prior to hiring managers making selections externally to other applicants. So, this internal announcement ensures this is met by posting all positions internally to facility employees throughout the year. This announcement does not signify that a vacancy exists at this time. Should a true vacancy become available in this occupation/specialty, applicants will be reviewed & referred to hiring managers for consideration at that time. You will receive notification when/if your application progresses to the next stage of recruitment. Some positions/specialties are eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). If selected, you will be notified if your specialty is eligible for EDRP or not. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Applicant's note: This announcement may be used to fill various positions at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. You must choose which duty location you wish to be considered for. You may select multiple duty locations; but you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s) that you select when you apply. Multiple specialties are also being filled from this vacancy announcement. Note that there may not be any current vacancies at the time of this announcement. However, applicants may be considered for future and any additional vacancies that become available until the announcement closes. The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) safely provides anesthesia to surgical patients for a variety of operations and/or procedures. The CRNA will consult and collaborate with the entire surgical care team. Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of anesthesia equipment. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Performs pre-anesthesia evaluations, prepares anesthesia plan, delivers all forms of anesthesia and follows up on all general anesthesia cases. Provides emergency airway and resuscitation management throughout the facility. Translates the principles of professional nurse anesthesia practice into appropriate patient care. Performs the pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, including the collection of preoperative consults and data, from which an appropriate anesthetic plan is formulated. Ensures the anesthetic risks, benefits, and options are described to the patient. Administers inhalation, regional, intravenous, local and topical anesthetics and continuously evaluates the patient's physical status and responses to anesthesia. Consistently monitors and accurately records on the anesthesia record. Performs post-anesthetic management of patients in order to optimize the recovery from anesthesia and minimize pain. Provides patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession, while working effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. Appropriately responds to all codes and airway rescues. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Various work schedules available. May require rotating call coverage, weekdays, nights, weekends and/or holidays. The supervisor will determine the actual work schedule (FT, PT or Intermittent & the hours worked) upon selection based on the needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. 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. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) nurse anesthetists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education: A degree in nursing from a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate state accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: (a) The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), an accrediting arm of the National League for Nursing. (b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (c) In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, and unrestricted registration and the possession of a Certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Graduate of an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Registration: 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. Certification: Certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. Selective Placement Factor (SPF). This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the SPF must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for a specific grade level: Entry Level: (Nurse II). Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist. Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following: (1) Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care. (2) Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data. (3) Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient. (4) Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status. (5) Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care. (6) Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. (7) Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. (8) Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care. Full Performance Level: (Nurse III). Experience and Education. In addition to meeting the requirements for Entry Level, the CRNA has had progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures. At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the nurse anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated. Typically candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Full Performance Level practice in nurse anesthesia includes but is not limited to the following: (1) Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care. (2) Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care. (3) Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures. (4) Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. (5) Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. (6) Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience. (7) Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia. (8) Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers. (9) Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. (10) Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G7 Nurse Anesthetist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching, use of hands and fingers, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking, standing, bending and climbing. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.