The Chief Nurse has responsibility and accountability for planning. organizing, directing system-wide issues to include managing day-to-day operations of the NF/SG Critical Care/ ED Program. He/she is responsible for responding to internal and external communications, maintaining knowledge of and communicating standards of practice, accreditation, coordinating Nursing Service efforts, developing systems to enhance operations, resource utilization and communication.
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 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: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's 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 III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle. Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a 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, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Duties Include but not limited to: Manage nursing personnel in the NFSG Nursing Critical Care/ ED Program Ensure the delivery of nursing care to patients in the NFSG Nursing Critical Care/ ED program area. Manage resources and all programs that fall under the umbrella of NFSG Nursing Critical Care/ ED. Aggregate data and participate in the budget process to plan for current, emerging and future resource requirements (financial, human, material and/or informational) based on patient care systems that produce high quality outcomes. Provide leadership in maintaining standards of nursing in accordance with System and Nursing Service Policies and guidelines of the agency, accrediting organizations and national nursing organizations. Responsible for the clinical practice, processes, programs and treatment provided by nurses providing care in the NFSG Nursing Critical Care/ ED programs. Represent the Associate Director Patient Care Service on service and system committees/task forces for administrative and clinical issues. Collaborate with other Chief Nurses across the health care system, and Associate Director for Patient Care Service to develop goals and objectives that support the strategic plan, meet the needs of veteran patients, satisfy staff, and result in positive clinical and administrative outcomes. Preferred Experience: Minimum of two years of experience as a Nurse Manager, Supervisor, or management equivalent. Minimum of a total of five years of recent licensed Registered Nurse experience in respective nursing area/s. Certification by ANCC in Nursing Administrative and/or certification in the respective nursing specialty for the Nursing Critical/ED Care areas. Successful experience in progressively more complex roles such as Nurse Manager, Assistant or Associate Chief Nurse. Documented ability to initiate and successfully implement programs using a systems approach. Documented evidence of working with colleagues and peers to bring about positive outcomes in clinical and administrative practice. Demonstrated strong administrative skills with documentation of successful follow through with established individual and service-wide goals. Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data, develops strategic plans, and writes major reports. Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills, writing skills and ability to work with diverse groups of people. Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, track and trend data from multiple sources. History of successfully implementing evidence-based standards of care and practice. Demonstrated ability in successful human resource management 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 - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Off Shift & Weekend hours as needed to fulfill Chief Nurse responsibilities) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized