Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/10/2022. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting 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.] The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) OR The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Registration: 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. 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). Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. Preferred Experience: Candidate with 4-5 years of nursing leadership role in an inpatient hospital setting. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. 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. S/he may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. S/he must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment. Physical requirements may involve lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, and repeated bending. S/he must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing on hire, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, s/he may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA vehicles. See Form OF-178 for detailed job specific requirements. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. ["The Associate Chief Nurse (ACN)/ for Specialty Care and Surgery is a key member of the nursing\nexecutive leadership team in Nursing Administration. The ACN has supervisory responsibilities\nfor nurses and the day-to-day operations for clinics in the Specialty Care Peri-op/ Surgery Care\nLines. He/she directs the Nurse Managers and Assistant Nurse Managers who have direct\nsupervision of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Surgical Technicians\n(ST) and Health Technicians (HTs) The Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) is directly responsible for all aspects of care delivery in the assigned areas. This position has substantial and continuing responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling service-wide infrastructure issues. Specifically, the overall operation of the service, responding to internal and external communications, maintaining knowledge of, and communicating standards of nursing practice and patient care, and developing systems to enhance overall operations and communications within the service. The ACN is a principal liaison for the Staffing Methodology Facility Expert Panel and is accountable for utilizing the established Staffing Methodology model for the purpose of assessing and recommending the allocation of human and material resources. The ACN collaborates with appropriate leads in Quality, Safety, and Innovation (QSI) to ensure that processes are in place for continued accreditation readiness. He/she participates in rounding to survey nursing units, working toward achievement of high quality, safety, and cost-effective evidence-based outcomes on a continual journey of a high reliability organization. The ACN is at times designated as the Acting Associated Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS/ADPCS/NE (NE) as necessary to facilitate day-to-day operations and quality nursing practice in the absence of the ADPCS/NE. He/she is accountable for the clinical and administrative management of nursing within assigned areas of responsibility at the Columbus VAACC. Responsibilities include but are not limited to nursing representation on care line committees, program planning, policy development, data collection, analysis, and writing formal reports. The ACN is accountable to the ADPCS/NE. He/she has administrative responsibility for the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of nursing professional development, and provides professional leadership, guidance, and consultation across service/care lines in matters relating to nursing professional development. He/she coordinates and provides consultation on issues related to personnel, budget, and forecast projections. He/she interacts with the community as needed on behalf of the VAACC. The ACN works independently within the scope of practice, according to policies, training, and accepted VA practices. He/she is directly responsible to the ADPCS/NE and ultimately responsible to the Director. It is the first line supervisor, the ADPCS/NE, who has direct control over work assignments and leave approval. The ACN maintains a collaborative relationship with the care line manager to ensure nursing staff function as a member of the interdisciplinary team in the planning and provision of care. The ACN's performance is evaluated annually by the ADPCS/NE using the Executive Career Field Performance Appraisal Program. The ACN meets the needs of both the internal and external customers while supporting the mission of the VA by consistently communicating and treating customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous tactful and respectful manner. In addition, he/she provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures, and handles conflict and problems constructively and appropriately. The ACN protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA/VHA statutes, and policies. Every effort will be made to protect the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alternation, or unauthorized deletion. Work will be performed following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs. In addition, the ACN provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures and handles conflicts and problems constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 0800-1630.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nCompressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement Title: Registered Nurse - Associate Chief.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized"]