Summary

The Nurse IV Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and - influence the organizational healthcare mission. This position is located within the Office of Community Care (OCC).

Qualifications

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
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: 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
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR Master's 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 III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Dimensions: Leadership
• Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices - industry-leading research - and innovative care models
• Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level
• Business Acumen
• Transforms health care by implementing new processes - technology - informatics - and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level
• Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle
• Employs an industry leading - shared decision-making lifestyle
• Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans - families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust - lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values - beliefs and practices at the program or services level
• Professional and Social Responsibility
• Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care - health advocacy and health equity
• Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level
• Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred experience: Experience in community based or contract care environments
• Experience as a nurse executive managing a multidisciplinary team Experience developing networks and community partners Experience with data driven quality metrics 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

• The duties for this position include - but are not limited to: The Nurse IV ACN Community Care functions as an advisor - administrator - educator - consultant - and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability
• The ACN provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Chief of Staff (COS)
• The ACN supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals
• They champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a culture of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention - not punishment - with collective mindfulness
• The ACN collaborates with interdisciplinary team members - including other program and service leaders at the facility and network
• They work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide
• The ACN relates effectively with customers - families - and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels
• They assist the COS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them
• The ACN contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care - policies - and objectives for the enhancement of nursing
• The OCC Chief Nurse is the clinical and administrative coordinator for all aspects of Community Care including policies and practice - budgetary and administrative oversight of compliance with VHA Directives
• This position provides oversight for the local OCC Department to include: Administrative staff for review of eligibility - authorizations and scheduling etc. - Registered Nurses (RN's) for care coordination and if applicable processes related to review and approval of Community Care consult requests (for justification and medical necessity) - and/or denial of CC consults - unauthorized/Mil bill and traditional VA community care claims based on eligibility criteria
• The Chief Nurse for the local OCC may provide oversight for other departments i.e. - Interfacility - Intra-facility - Traveling Vet (TVC) program staff
• This individual executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs within Community Care and coordinates areas that cross service and/or discipline lines - influences the organizational mission - and facilitates care coordination with both internal and external providers and demonstrates nursing leadership and clinical expertise and responsibility for outcomes
• The OCC Chief Nurse must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers - families - and the community providers and their staff - as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels
• 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: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Monday - Friday
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Available (AD HOC)
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) - excluding Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Authorized.