The Durham VA Health Care System is looking to fill one (1) full-time Chief Registered Nurse vacancy for Surgery.
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 Chief Nurse may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The Chief Nurse may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The Chief Nurse 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. In the performance of duties, the Chief Nurse may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.
Job Description/Scope of Practice The Associate Chief Nurse (CN) for surgery nursing areas 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, influence organizational mission and health care, and responsibility for outcomes. The CN is responsible for administrative functions of their assigned nursing units/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Service and other services. Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Key relationships with staff are needed to: Assist nurse managers and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them. Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide. Assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs. Collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. The Scope of Practice of all RNs in all areas of clinical practice is defined in the four (4) dimensions outlined in the Nurse Qualification Standards. PRACTICE (Ethics, Resource Utilization) ETHICS: Provides leadership in addressing ethical issues that impact patients and staff in or beyond the organization and the local health care community. RESOURCE UTILIZATION: Designs, modifies, and implements systems compatible with professional standards and within the mission and the goals of the organization to improve the cost-effective use of resources. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Education/Career Development, Performance) EDUCATION/CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Develops staff for career progression. Forecasts new knowledge needs for changing practice environments/population groups. Plans, implements, and evaluates strategies to meet those needs. PERFORMANCE: Implements standards of professional practice and accrediting bodies and applicable regulations COLLABORATION (Collaboration, Collegiality) COLLABORATION: Demonstrates leadership in developing productive working relationships with groups in other programs, services, academic settings, and community settings COLLEGIALITY: Contributes to the professional growth and development of colleagues and other health care providers at the local, state, regional, or national level. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Quality of Care, Research) QUALITY OF CARE: Provides leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of care in diverse or complex programs. RESEARCH: Collaborates with staff, other disciplines, faculty, and peers in developing, conducting, and evaluating research activities and programs. Required Qualifications MSN or BSN with Masters in a health-related field Preferred Qualifications Minimum of four to five years successful nursing practice Minimum of 2 years successful management experience in one or more areas of surgery Demonstrated ability to work effectively with employees, customers, vendors and members of the interdisciplinary matrix Demonstrated ability to coordinate and evaluate integrated programs Demonstrated clinical excellence in management of groups Demonstrated knowledge of current techniques, trends and professional issues, and organizational improvement Demonstrated ability to use computer software in support of preparing and presenting reports and analysis Preferred Level of Education Masters Degree in Nursing or Masters in a related field and a BSN MSN from Bridge Program (no BSN required) Doctoral degree in nursing or a related field Preferred Certification(s) ANCC Nurse Executive Leadership Certification 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: Mon- Fri, 0730-1600. Tour subject to change. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.