The Nursing and Patient Care Service Line has a vacancy for a Nurse Senior Leadership IV. a. Basic Requirements See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-06 (1) Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) (2) Graduation from School of Nursing (a) Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant. [NOTE: See exception in subparagraph (b) below for candidates who are enrolled in a MSN Bridge Program.] 1. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), an accrediting arm of the National League for Nursing located at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006 or call (800) 669-1656 extension 153. The NLNAC accredits all levels of nursing programs. Additional information may be obtained from the NLNAC web site; or 2. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The CCNE accredits bachelors and master's degree programs, and is located at One Dupont Circle N.W., Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036 or call (202) 463-6930. Additional information may be obtained from the CCNE web site. (b) [The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. In these programs, students are given a certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX and should submit this certification to VA prior to appointment. Students do not earn a BSN, but receive a MSN degree upon completion of course work. A copy of the MSN transcript must be provided to VA. Bridge programs that confer a master's degree also fully meet the education requirement, even though a bachelor's degree is not awarded. (c)] In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active, and unrestricted registration (see paragraph 2a(3)) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. NOTE: Most individuals admitted as permanent residents or adjusting to permanent resident status as registered nurses on or after December 14, 1998, for the purpose of working as a registered nurse, must meet the certification requirements in Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (Pub. L. 104-208, September 30, 1996). This certification involves a review of the alien's education, training, license(s), and experience, verification that the alien possess an acceptable level of competence in written and oral English, and a requirement that the individual has passed either the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Qualifying Examination or the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. examination, the NCLEX-RN. For additional information see Pub. L. 104-208, 63 Federal Register 55007-55012, dated October 14, 1998, and the CGFNS web site. (3) Registration (a) Condition of Employment. A registered nurse (RN) will have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The appointing official may waive this registration if the RN is to serve in a country other than the U.S. and the RN has registration in that country (e.g., Philippines). The RN must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA. (b) Impaired Registration. An impaired registration is any registration(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status. A registered nurse who has or ever had any such impairment to their registration as listed above may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions of chapter 3, section B, paragraph 15 of this part. (4) Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. (5) English Language Proficiency. RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). (6) Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. On and after [March 17, 2009], registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before [March 17, 2009], who obtain such qualifications on or after [March 17, 2009.] (a) Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. [The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.] (b) Clinical Nurse Specialists. A clinical nurse specialist must possess a Masters degree from an academic program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE [and maintain full and current certification as a clinical nurse specialist from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.] (c) Prescriptive Authority. This handbook does not address any additional requirements that nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists must meet before they are granted prescriptive authority. Preferred Experience: PhD, Doctor of Nursing Practice or related doctoral degree. 3-5 years in Nursing Education or Academia 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. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: 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 patient and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during procedures. The incumbent may occasional be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 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 Nurse IV is responsible for administrative functions of their assigned nursing units/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Nursing/Patient Care Services 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 (1) Assist nurse managers and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them, (2) Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide, (3) Assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs, and (4) 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 population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The Atlanta VAHCS is an interdisciplinary teaching facility providing care for a large Veteran population with multiple medical and/or mental health co-morbidities. Below are the approved Nurse IV positions: - Chief Nurse for Acute Care Services - Chief Nurse for Geriatrics and Extended Care - Chief Nurse for Medical Specialty Care Services - Chief Nurse for Primary Care Services (2 positions) - Chief Nurse for Perioperative & Surgical - Chief Nurse for Mental Health Services - Chief Nurse for Nursing Education - Chief Nurse for Nursing Operations - Chief Nurse for Call Center - Chief Nurse for Sterile Processing Services - Chief Nurse for Emergency Department 3. FUNCTIONS: The incumbent will be responsible to the Deputy Associate Director for Nursing/Patient Care Services and Service Line Manager or Service Line Designee, as appropriate for practice area. Refer to the Organizational Chart for the supervisory chain of command. The Chief Nurses report directly to the Atlanta VAHCS Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS) for nursing practice and administrative issues. The Chief Nurses are responsible for assuring fulfillment of nursing, Atlanta VAHCS, and VISN Mission, Vision and Values and for establishing productive working relationships with other administrative services, professional discipline consultants, and community agencies and organizations. As a member of the Nursing leadership team, the Chief Nurses participate in assessing the environment, forecasting trends, transmitting ideas and values, developing and implementing policies, initiating programs, systems, and managing resources. In addition, the incumbent is accountable for all issues that affect nursing practice, such as credentials, functional statements, job descriptions, standards of practice and performance. The Chief Nurses provide active participation in the achievement of Nursing Strategic Goals. The incumbent may also participate in the Atlanta VAHCS Nurse Practice/Protocol Councils and may serve as chairperson of various Atlanta VAHCS committees. The incumbent will be responsible for interpreting and assuring fulfillment of VHA, VISN, and Atlanta VAHCS mission, goals, values and performance standards to nursing staff. As the Chief Nurse, the incumbent is responsible for the provision of high-quality customer-focused, cost effective patient care. The incumbent is responsible for establishing productive working relationships with the staff in all disciplines across clinical centers. The Chief Nurse of nursing education is responsible for the overall design and execution of nursing education throughout the Atlanta VA Healthcare system, including maintaining and expanding all nursing institution affiliations and nursing accredited programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (subject to change based on agency needs) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.