This position is the Chief of Community Care, at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, located at the Leeds, MA location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. 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 and Certification: 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 Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty 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. Grade Determination. In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment, advancement and promotion will be based on the following specific requirement for an APN (NP). The level of practice at which an APN (NP) may perform is based upon a combination of many factors. Beyond the minimum educational requirements, grade determination, upon appointment and advancement, is dependent upon aspects such as continued professional development (formal and/or informal education), clinical performance, judgment, outcomes (at the service level and beyond), leadership and interpersonal skills that influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. As the APN (NP) acquires the knowledge, skills and judgment that accrues with experience, the privilege of increased authority for patient care and service in administrative roles is expanded as applicable. APN (Nurse Practitioner) IV. (a) 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. (b) Education and Experience Requirement. i Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND ii Four years of APN (NP) experience, one of which is specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III AND iii Meets all Nurse IV dimension requirements. (c) Dimension Requirement. APNs (NPs) at Level IV must meet ALL the following dimension requirements: i Practice. Practices at an associate executive level, utilizing clinical, leadership and administrative skills, demonstrating continuing responsibility that influences the organizational mission, health care delivery and policy at the local and/or regional level. ii Outcome Focus. Leads the application of clinical/business models, incorporating research/evidence-based practices, designed to achieve and sustain excellence in the delivery of health care at the service and organization levels. iii Leadership. Creates and implements a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve organizational performance and attain measurable performance outcomes. iv Professional Development. Establishes innovative, current and future healthcare delivery models, policy/regulation and governance to cultivate a healthy culture, improving health outcomes. v Professionalism/Collegiality. Facilitates effective relationship management, communication, customer service experiences and negotiation across diverse cultures using a broad range of technology platforms to influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. Certification: Certification in Adult Gerontology Primary Care or Family Nurse Practitioner is required from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Preferred Experience: Two years Community Care/Case Management/Care Coordination experience. One year experience leading an interdisciplinary team Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent 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 incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["Duties include but not limited to the following: The primary purpose of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) IV Chief of Community Care position is to execute 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 on the organizational mission, and health care, and responsibility for outcomes in Community Care Service. The Chief of Community Care Services participates in assessing the environment, forecasting trends, transmitting ideas and values, and developing and implementing policies. The Chief APN Community Care provides a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and advancing the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The Chief APN executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or disciplines and influence the organization's mission and health care. The Chief APN practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. The Chief APN is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who is a senior level leader. Executive leadership characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. The Chief APN is responsible for leadership of service and programmatic operations, both clinical and administrative. They function as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with all clinical services/programs at the facility or network level, interdisciplinary service leaders, and executive leadership. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relates effectively with customers, families, and the community. The Chief APN (1) Assists Nurse Leaders, APNs, and interdisciplinary clinicians in carrying out the functions and activities expected of them, (2) Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of clinical practice, (3) Leads and collaborates in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs, and (4) Collaborates with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross services and/or disciplines that influence organizational mission and health care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Available, Ad-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized Financial Disclosure: Required; Selectee must file a financial disclosure report, OGE Form 450, within 30 days of onboarding and then annually after that. 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards"]
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.
