The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) II Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices in Cardiology Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The Cardiology NP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The NP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. ["* The Cardiology Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. * Provide high-quality care, increasing access & improving outcomes for Veterans. * Obtain and evaluate medical histories. Perform physical examinations and therapeutic/ diagnostic procedures. Order and interpret laboratory studies, radiographs, EKGs, and other special examinations. * Make arrangements for further care if appropriate (e.g., by entering consults) and serve as a consultant to other providers. * Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary staff in a fast-paced educational, and collegial environment. * Perform/ assist with procedures including echocardiograms, cardioversion, and exercise stress tests. * Obtain informed consent from patients for procedures, such as stress testing. * Monitor anticoagulation therapies and adjust therapies as indicated within desired ranges. * Initiate and/or expedite requests for consultations, special tests or studies on assigned patients and keep the managing physician apprised of results and progress, to include angiographic studies. * Develop appropriate medical management plan for cardiology. * Manage a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions, with an emphasis on health promotion using evidence-based practice. * Order and interpret labs, tests, and diagnostic studies - such as, but not limited to, laboratory, X-rays, imaging studies/EKGs, blood and urine tests, as well as any other special testing and studies, whenever indicated. * Review pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. * Assesses and adjust the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. * Provide education to patients and their families. * Prescribe medications and provide education and counseling to Veterans and their families regarding medical condition, prescribed treatments and drugs, diagnostic options, review of treatment plans, discussions of patient goals, etc. * Develop meaningful goals to assist patients and their families in attaining the optimum level of physical, physiological, sociological and psychological balance within the limitations imposed by their illnesses. * Provide telephone consultation - screening consults for appropriate and timely care prior to scheduling; and communicating with multidisciplinary team members, such as pharmacy, dietary, IT, lab, other specialists/providers. * Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services. *Establish professional working relationship with clinical service providers within the medical center, Outpatient Clinics (OPCs), and the Community Base Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and provide dermatology education as needed. * Demonstrate leadership and participate in quality assurance programs and chart reviews. * Complete medical records in accordance with Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Medical Staff * Contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, and actively participate in patient safety initiatives. * Work independently, as allowed by VA policies, with delegated prescriptive authority for appropriate classes of medications, consulting with the collaborating physician where appropriate. *Maintain continuing education as required by the specialty section and the appropriate professional licensing board. *Provide patient care in accordance with professional standards, and exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. 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: Monday - Friday 7:30am -4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position."]
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.
