Associate Nurse Executive, Mental Health Care Line
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: Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability. This 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
The Associate Nurse Executive of the Mental Health Care Line (ANE/MHCL) at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) collaborates with the Associate Chief of Staff for the Mental Health Care Line (ACOS/MHCL) in the safe and effective delivery of specialized mental health care to Veterans across the care continuum. VASDHS is a Level 1a major interdisciplinary facility with robust academic affiliations and large clinical, teaching, and research programs. The MHCL is a large and extensive interprofessional service (~600 FTEE) at VASDHS providing inpatient, Residential, and Ambulatory mental health care to patients at the medical center and throughout all community-based outpatient clinics. MHCL Nursing staff (~200 FTEE) are embedded in all MHCL programs and units including Acute and Intensive, Residential, and Ambulatory services (i.e., primary care mental health integration, general Mental Health, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use, intensive care management, psychosocial rehabilitation, etc.). The ANE provides executive leadership and is responsible for administrative functions of all MHCL Nursing across all MHCL units and programs and direct supervision to the ambulatory MHCL Nurse Manager and other MHCL Nursing staff to ensure sustainable quality outcomes in all inpatient, residential, and ambulatory MHCL programs. As an executive member of the MHCL Executive Management team, the ANE/MHCL is responsible for overall nursing practice and allied health personnel (e.g., LVN, NA, etc.), for the MHCL. The ANE maintains a relationship with the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS) in administration of MHCL Nursing Services within VASDHS. The ANE/MHCL is the expert overseeing operations and leading the Nursing team within the MHCL. The ANE/MHCL works collaboratively with other leaders within MHCL and throughout the facility to plan, design, implement, and improve patient care services and health care delivery systems, with attention to safety, performance, and quality outcomes. The ANE/MHCL implements standards of professional practice and creates a culture and environment that utilizes evidence-based practice as the main pathway to improved outcomes. Develops action plans to accomplish MHCL goals with available resources within established timelines. Supports/actively participates in initiatives such as High Reliability Organization (HRO), Patient Centered Care, Just Culture, & I CARE. Responsible for compliance with all safety, regulatory and accrediting body requirements for Nursing-related issues. Accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Ensures the safe administration of medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on facility, service, and patient needs. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as the healthcare system includes a 24/7 hospital. The incumbent must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. Willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments. Makes caring for the Veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work. Self-motivated in the pursuit of meeting professional work standards. Basic Life Support (BLS) required for RNs in direct patient care positions. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required in specific specialty areas.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: Full-time, 0730-1600 (Tour between time is flexible) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No authorized