The Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS) is the top executive within nursing and a key member of the senior executive leadership team of the organization, involved in strategic planning, organizational assessment, and program development. The ADPCS has the authority and responsibility for establishing standards of nursing practice and ensuring the continuous and timely availability of quality nursing services.
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: Experience at the Nurse V level is preferred PhD in nursing or related field Minimum of 7 years of nursing experience Minimum of 5 years in Nursing Administration, demonstrating proficiency with supervisory experiences and progression toward high level leadership positions Certification in Nursing Leadership Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.
The ADPCS is a member of the Hines VAH Executive Leadership Team along with the Medical Center Director, the Associate Medical Center Director for Resources, the Associate Medical Center Director for Operations and the Chief of Staff. She/he provides visionary thinking on issues that impacts the facility. The ADPCS is fully involved in strategic planning with the VISN Network Director and nationally. She/he participates fully in upper-level management decisions to speak on behalf of nursing/Patient Care Services and other hospital administration issues and is a member of all medical center-level Councils and Committees that govern and influence the operations of the medical center, such as the Facility. The ADPCS is the Nurse Executive for this facility and its associated community-based outpatient clinics. Duties include, but are not limited to: Exercises final authority and approval. over nursing job descriptions, nursing care policies and procedures; nursing standards of patient care, treatment, and services; standards of nursing practice; nurse staffing plans; and standards to measure, assess, and improve patient outcomes. Participates with leaders from the Executive Leadership Team, management, medical staff, clinical areas, and administrative areas in strategic planning and decision-making processes. Responsible for the practice of nursing 24/7 by all registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and allied health staff (LPNs, NAs, etc.) regardless of line authority. Line authority over Nursing Services, Sterile Processing Service, Chaplain Service, and Hospital Education Services. Ensures a competency process is in place to evaluate individual practice, as well as a review process for annual performance ratings. Provides guidance and oversight into nursing policy development as well as encompassing nursing management and staff development. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm or as agreed upon with the possibility of extended hours and weekends. 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 Telework: Ad-hoc, as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be authorized.