The Chief of Education executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission. Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with all services in the organization.
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. 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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 Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse V: Scope: Practice of an executive nature, comprised of complex leadership and administrative components, associated with critical health care issues and activities that drive meeting the organizational mission, health care and policy. Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimension Requirements: Leadership. Establishes the strategic direction for health care delivery, evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Creates a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the organization or enterprise level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care through the application of new processes, technology, informatics, data analytics, business principles, systems thinking and resource management at the organization or enterprise level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Establishes an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle; a workforce that serves Veterans, families, and caregivers of all backgrounds; builds trust and lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the organization and enterprise level. Communication and Relationship Management. Drives the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional and organizational values, beliefs, and practices at the organizational or enterprise level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Sets the standard for a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the organization or enterprise level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans, the community, and the health care industry. Preferred experience: At least five years of supervisory experience. Proven outcomes for process improvement and/or impacts on patient care. Training/teaching experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be mature flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities, based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. If providing care in home settings or other off-site locations, required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.
The Chief of Education provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within the Education Section as directed by the Chief, Quality and Patient Safety Service in collaboration with the executive leadership team. Further duties of the position are, but not limited to: Provides direct supervision over the following areas to include, but not limited to Nursing Education, Health Promotions, Disease Prevention Education Program, Competency Program, Whole Health, Work Force Development, Coach Mentor program, and the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) Program. Responsible for New Employee Orientation, New Provider Orientation, New Supervisor Training programs, and other programs. Demonstrates creative approaches in the provision of education and training for patients and staff within the main facility and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). Responsible for generating and disseminating new knowledge relevant to clinical practice/administration, and clinical education. Responsible for education needs assessments, provision, design, and evaluation of staff and patient education activities; provision of Library Services by the Learning Resource Center (LRC); and acts as the education liaison to all organization's services and the VISN Education Council. Has fiscal oversight of education program funding, scholarship program management, and LRC budget. Responsible for budget planning, forecasting, management, coaching and supervision of nursing and administrative support staff, program development, performance improvement leadership, labor management activities and participation in the interdisciplinary team. May serve as the Designated Learning Officer (DLO) for the medical center. Oversees, assesses, and strengthens Veterans Affairs (VA) training and education mission. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and VHA laws and regulations, and all accrediting body standards. Responsible for the Veterans Affairs Student Trainee Experience Program (VA STEP) and nursing trainees. Consult with VHA's Employee Education System (EES) as needed to ensure compliance with staff education functions such as mandatory training, Talent Management System (TMS), availability of learning resources, and all Veteran Affairs Central Office (VACO) reporting related to education. Provides administrative support for the VA National Nursing Education Initiative (NNEI) scholarship program. Supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals. Champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a lifestyle of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the organization and VISN. Work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of VA staff nationwide. Provides leadership and assumes continuing and substantial responsibility for the coordination and evaluation of a program of research and evidence-based practice to influence the organizational mission and improve patient care outcomes. Oversight of nursing training programs at all levels for excellence in patient care and implementation of evidence-based nursing practice at the micro-level where professional nursing practice is delivered. Relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Assist the ADPCS and COS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them. Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment. Other duties as assigned. 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 to Friday, 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available. Telework: Telework is only available for situational use only, this position is required to regularly report to the facility. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.