Advanced Practice Nurse; Interventional Radiology Nurse Practitioner

Summary

The incumbent is a qualified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who serves as a licensed independent practitioner within the Imaging Service at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System – providing outpatient and inpatient specialty care for Veterans undergoing diagnostic imaging – fluoroscopy – interventional radiology (IR) – and contrast‑enhanced examinations. The APRN functions in a role comparable to other advanced practice providers within Diagnostic Imaging.

• Major duties and responsibilities of the position:
  Provides in‑house coverage for general fluoroscopic examinations and independently operates fluoroscopy equipment in accordance with approved clinical privileges and radiation safety standards, including ALARA principles.
• Reviews imaging orders, consults, and procedure requests for appropriateness.
• Performs focused history and physical examinations.
• Determines readiness for diagnostic imaging and/or interventional procedures.
• Writes orders for diagnostic and/or interventional procedures.
• Post‑procedural care and follow‑up with patients.
• Obtains informed consent for diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures, including high‑risk contrast studies.
• Manages high‑risk contrast usage, including patients with mild to moderate contrast allergy requiring premedication and those with impaired renal function.
• Evaluates laboratory values and medical history to determine appropriateness of contrast administration.
• Responds to and manages contrast reactions within Imaging Service: performs clinical assessment, initiates treatment per protocol, coordinates escalation of care with Code Assist and Code Blue teams, determines patient disposition, and ensures appropriate discharge planning or transfer.
• Performs interventional radiology procedures within approved scope of practice and under the direction of the Radiologist with documented competencies – including but not limited to ultrasound‑guided paracentesis, thoracentesis, fine needle aspiration (thyroid/lymph nodes), arthrocentesis, and arthrography.
• Assesses lab values/contraindications.
• Provides on‑call IR coverage – including triage of urgent and emergent cases and performance of procedures limited to granted competencies and privileges.
• Serves as secondary in‑house clinical coverage for pacemaker MRI and minimal sedation MRI cases.
• Assists with patient screening, monitoring, and emergency response as indicated – protocoling and advising on Radiology orders.
• Documents all patient assessments, procedures, treatments, and clinical outcomes in the electronic health record (EHR) accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ensures high‑quality patient care is delivered in a resource‑efficient manner.
• Complies with VHA regulations – professional standards – ethical conduct – and Medical Staff Bylaws.
• Adheres to West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System policies, Joint Commission standards, and applicable regulations – including mandatory trainings, BLS requirements, maintenance of licensure/certification/registration, timely completion of unsigned/un‑cosigned notes, and credentialing and privileging.
• Promotes an environment of system‑oriented continuous quality improvement (CQI).
• Actively participates in long‑ and short‑term goals supporting the mission.
• Establishes and maintains effective, harmonious relationships with peers.
• Provides education, mentorship, and clinical guidance to nursing staff, technologists, trainees, and new advanced practice providers.
• Follows duties assigned by the Section Chief and/or Chief of Imaging.
• Participates in educational activities such as seminars, continuing education, and grand rounds.
• Participates in employee education programs supporting organizational learning and development at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System.
• Other tasks as assigned.
• Benefits and Compensation: 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 401(k) 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, 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.