The Cardiology Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a professional nurse with advanced clinical knowledge and competence to provide professional assessment, coordination, and planning of multiple health care services, emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. The NP is a licensed independent provider, holds clinical privileges, and practices in collaboration with other health care professionals to provide direct and indirect 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 - 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 Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) 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) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.
The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is seeking to add an experienced full-time cardiology Nurse Practitioner (NP) to our Cardiology Division. Duties will focus on support of our structural heart program, though some support of our general cardiology program may also be assigned in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Commitment to excellence in patient care and dedication to the mission of serving our Veterans are essential. The Tucson VA is a tertiary care facility providing a full range of clinical services including complex coronary angioplasty, electrophysiology, structural heart procedures, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery and Mohs surgery. SAVAHCS has been a flagship quality provider within the VA and was a 2012 winner of the prestigious Robert W. Carey Performance Excellence Award. We are in a growth area for the VA. Consequently, the VA is open to major capital investment in our facility; we have a hybrid OR and planning is underway for the addition of a specialty services clinic building. SAVAHCS is the principal teaching affiliate of the University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. The successful candidate is expected to work collaboratively in an academic medical environment, communicating effectively with students, residents, fellows and attending physicians, as the situation requires. The Cardiology Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a professional nurse with advanced clinical knowledge and competence to provide professional assessment, coordination, and planning of multiple health care services, emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. The NP is a licensed independent provider, holds clinical privileges, and practices in collaboration with other health care professionals to provide direct and indirect care. Clinical core privileges of the Cardiology NP include the management, treatment, and ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests for acute and chronic cardiac disorders of the adult population. The NP is responsible for providing care for cardiac patients in the outpatient and inpatient setting, acting on behalf of the patients to assure that necessary clinical services are received and that progress is being made toward Cardiology team care goals. The NP is responsible for clinical documentation for both inpatient and outpatient services. Additional Cardiology NP functions will include: 1. Educate patients and family members on appropriate disease-modifying behavior. 2. Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement in the Cardiology division. 3. Maintain mandatory and clinical continuous education of the position and adhere to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. Tour of duty is 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. There may be a requirement for limited overtime on days of structural heart procedures. Work will be at the main Tucson campus or via telehealth technologies; travel to regional VA clinics outside of main campus is not required. 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 Current basic board certification in the following: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized