The Deputy Chief, Mental Health is an expert APN who executes responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to the management of programs and complex patient care.
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: 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 APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) 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 APN (NP) 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP) AND four years of APN (NP) experience, one of which is specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III AND meets all Nurse IV dimension requirements. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at Level IV must meet ALL the following dimension requirements: Practice. Practices at an associate executive level, utilizing clinical, leadership and administrative skills, demonstrating continuing responsibility that influences the organizational mission, health care delivery and policy at the local and/or regional level. Outcome Focus. Leads the application of clinical/business models, incorporating research/evidence-based practices, designed to achieve and sustain excellence in the delivery of health care at the service and organization levels. Leadership. Creates and implements a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve organizational performance and attain measurable performance outcomes. Professional Development. Establishes innovative, current and future healthcare delivery models, policy/regulation and governance to cultivate a healthy culture, improving health outcomes. Professionalism/Collegiality. Facilitates effective relationship management, communication, customer service experiences and negotiation across diverse cultures using a broad range of technology platforms to influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The APN Clinical/Administrative Leader is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who is a senior level leader. The APN Clinical/Administrative Leader displays executive leadership characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. The APN Clinical/Administrative Leader is responsible for leadership of service and programmatic operations, both clinical and administrative. They function as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with all clinical services/programs at the facility or network level, interdisciplinary service leaders, and executive leadership. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relates effectively with customers, families, and the community. The APN Clinical/Administrative Leader (1) Assists Nurse Leaders, APNs, and interdisciplinary clinicians in carrying out the functions and activities expected of them, (2) Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of clinical practice, (3) Leads and collaborates in policy making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs, and (4) Collaborates with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross services and/or disciplines that influence organizational mission and health care. The Deputy Chief, Mental Health Service program management and supervisory responsibilities: The incumbent has responsibility for primary back up for the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS), Mental Health during periods of absence. The incumbent has full administrative, program management and development, and supervisory responsibilities for multiple complex mental health programs across the VASLCHCS, and other teams/programs as assigned by the ACOS, Mental Health. The incumbent has responsibility for oversight of strategic planning, development and implementation of policies and procedures, management of programmatic resources, and monitoring outcomes and key metrics for programs under his/her direction. The incumbent exercises a very wide latitude of independent judgment in these duties. Responsibilities including first line authority/supervision of assigned staff, clinical consultation and guidance, day to day program management, and administrative functions that are complex in scope and that constitute a significant programmatic element of the VASLCHCS. The incumbent works closely with supervisors of the assigned teams/programs, Mental Health Service leadership, facility leadership, and VISN leadership to ensure that overall treatment of patients is delivered in the most thorough, efficient, and effective manner and that current goals are in line with Office of Mental Health and Office of Suicide Prevention and VISN goals. The incumbent interacts with Human Resources and facility leadership in all aspects of staff hiring, performance evaluation, and disciplinary action. The incumbent has responsibility for service level climate and culture including such issues as work environment, employee recognition, and safety. The incumbent works closely with IT and administrative staff to ensure staff have appropriate support and resources. The cumbent implements process improvements to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness. Treatment programming, staff development, and environment of care are managed at the level that meets or exceeds required accreditation standards, as well as local facility and VA Central Office expectations for service delivery. 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, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: May be available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.