The Nurse Practitioner (NP) II is a RN with advanced education and experience who will care for patients who have issues concerning the liver. Experience in managing patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is welcome, but not mandatory. She/he applies specialized clinical nursing knowledge and skills to patient care as well as the improvement of the quality of care provided by others. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in Gastroenterology/Hepatology. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12540201. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling; Pushing; Reaching above Shoulder; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Hearing aid (permitted); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Depth perception; Both eyes required; Both legs required; Use of fingers and both hands required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications ["Duties include but not limited to: Practice: Provides leadership in the application of the nursing process to client care, organizational processes and/or systems, improving outcomes at the program or service level. Ethics: Provides leadership in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact client and staff, including initiating and participating in ethics consultations. Resource Utilization: Manages program resources (financial, human, material, or informational) to facilitate safe, effective and efficient care. 1.Provides care to patients demonstrating advanced assessment and decision making. 2. Assists with the development of philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures and mission of the Healthcare System. 1. Demonstrates problem solving, decision-making, and change process and conflict resolution in matters related to clinical practice issues and management of the clinical practice area. 2. Documents care/visit in CPRS appropriately, accurately, and concisely. 3. Consistently examines and evaluates clinical practice and patient effectiveness designed to increase personal competence and advanced patient care. 4. Expected outcomes are identified with consideration of current scientific and practice knowledge. 5. Evaluates and intervenes in moral, legal, and ethical issues in practice. 6. Identifies and effectively resolves patient risk management issues. 7. Assures the implementation of Patients' Rights and standards. 8. Maintains an ethical nursing practice. 9. Serves as a patient advocate. 10. Actively participates with patients in completing advance directives. 11. Reviews resource utilization in the work setting. 12. Maintains workload review data. 13. Analyzes workload for decision-making. 14. Identifies and documents appropriate ICD and CPT coding for each patient encounter. 15. Demonstrates consideration of costs and benefits in the selection of resources/services/products for clients. 16. Demonstrates knowledge of the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals and applies the Standards when providing patient care PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Education/Career Development: Implements an educational plan to meet changing program or service needs for self and others. Maintains knowledge of current techniques, trends and professional issues. Performance: Uses professional standards of care and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. 1. Maintains mandatory requirements and/or competency standards. 2. Maintains professional knowledge and skills through participation in educational opportunities. 3. Identifies the learning needs of clients and facilitates learning by the use of creative teaching strategies. 4. Participates in identifying, developing and presenting educational programs aimed at staff development and/or patient education. 5. Health histories are consistently complete/pertinent. 6. Physical examinations are consistently complete/pertinent. 7. Plans are consistent with assessments. 8. Orders diagnostic tests appropriately. 9. Selects/prescribes pharmacologic agents appropriately. 10. Sets priorities to provide care in an organized and timely manner. 11. Continuously seeks feedback and monitors the patient and social/family group learning process; modifies the teaching plan/technique based on feedback and evaluation. 12. Promotes a practice environment that supports professional responsibility, accountability and development. 13. Practice reflects health promotion, prevention, and clinical practice guidelines. 14. Contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programs, which will enhance patient care throughout the Healthcare System. 15. Presents cases in a concise, organized manner. 16. Evaluates own performance according to the standards of the profession and regulatory bodies and takes actions to improve practice. Work Schedule: 0800-1630 or depending on medical center needs"]
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.
