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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 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. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Graduate from a Nurse Practitioner master's degree program (or higher) accredited by the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) which changed to the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN; http://www.acenursing.org or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE; (CCNE; http://www.aacn.nche.edu/) at the time the program was completed License: Current, full, active and unrestricted licensure as a graduate professional Registered Nurse with approval to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs must be in possession of current, full active and unrestricted licensure, and must meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Certification: Full and current national certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN) or another nationally recognized certifying body as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACCNP)? [The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.] Preferred Experience: Current BLS provider card from the American Heart Association or the Military Training Network (MTN). Current ACLS provider card. Two (2) years Nurse Practitioner experience in an inpatient or outpatient surgical setting. Nurse Practitioner experience in Neurosurgery specialty. Prescriptive privileges (Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Number) with: DEA Licensure: Current DEA number from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for Schedule II-V controlled substances with demonstration of meeting California State Board of Nursing requirements to prescribe controlled substances. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. ["The Nurse Practitioner, Neurosurgery, provides routine care and management of the patient with acute and chronic complaints, in collaboration with the supervising physician and through implementation of standardized procedures for Neurosurgery Section. Primary supervising physician is the Chief of Neurosurgery and the alternate supervising physician will be the Acting Chief of Neurosurgery Section or designee. The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Evaluates and treats patients in the inpatient, outpatient (including clinic), and ER settings with acute and chronic complaints related to neurosurgery and primary care, according to written standardized procedures. Obtains complete histories and performs pertinent physical exams with assessment of normal and abnormal findings on new patients according to written standardized procedures. Obtains interval histories and performs pertinent examinations on return patients. Performs or requests and evaluates diagnostic studies as indicated upon evaluation of the patient according to written standardized procedures. Additional diagnostic evaluations include but not limited to: MRI, CT, cerebral angiogram, x-rays, PET scan, myelogram, lumbar puncture, lumbar drain, shunt tap, EMG, EEG, Cardiac ECHO and Perfusion Tests, Pulmonary Function Tests, Brain Auditory Evoked Response (BAER), and biopsies performed by Interventional Radiology. Orders and furnishes medications according to written standardized procedures and acquires counter-signature on prescriptions from the supervising physician for medications not included in the approved formulary. Prioritizes the management of all aspects of scheduling of patients for the Operating Room. These responsibilities include but are not limited to ensuring all pre-operative medical clearance is completed, tests are ordered and checked, appropriate vendors and special equipment are arranged, and coordinating with other services is arranged, if necessary. The NP schedules surgery in the Operating Room using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options. Performs designated minor neurosurgical procedures after demonstrated competency and according to written standardized procedures where applicable. Additional standardized procedures include Ventricular Shunt/Reservoir Tap, External Ventricular Drain sampling or Shunt Valve setting change, Lumbar Puncture, Lumbar Drain, Wound Closure, Wound drain removal, Stereotactic Image Guidance Scalp Fiducial Placement, and Motor Cortex Stimulator Programming. Initiates arrangements for hospital admissions and discharges and completes appropriate paperwork, including Admission History and Physical Notes and Discharge Summaries. Manages patient care in the inpatient setting, in collaboration with the supervising physician and assists with discharge planning, appropriate paperwork, and discharge medication. After appropriate training, assists the supervising physician in the operating room when there is not a resident available. The Incumbent role is limited to serving in the role of scrub assistant. Recognizes and considers age-specific needs of patients. Effectively communicates and interacts with patients, families, staff and members of the community from diverse backgrounds. Recognizes situations which require the immediate attention of a physician, and initiates life-saving procedures when necessary. Orders laboratory or other diagnostic studies in accordance with specific protocols. Orders therapies such as respiratory, occupational, and physical therapy, psychological counseling, and Interventional Radiology procedures (e.g. Vertebroplasty, Abscess Drainage) under the specific protocols. Schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options. Follows nationally established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans including clinic visits, consultations and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL). Triages new neurosurgical EMR consultations. Consults other services and providers to assist with the evaluation and treatment of patients in the in-patient and out-patient settings. Prioritizes evaluating and treating out-patients in the Neurosurgery Clinic in either a face-to-face, telephone, or video conferencing setting. Works collaboratively with Neurosurgery Clinical Resource Hub staff, and as needed with surgical facility staff throughout VISN 21. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday (NOTE: Shifts may vary depending on patient care needs)\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]