Career Center

The Nurse Educator supports the learning needs of nurses who are responsible and accountable for the coordination of care for a culturally diverse Veteran population. The Nurse Educator possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process and care management principles within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. OR 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. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: -MSN Preferred 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 visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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. This position requires heavy lifting, 45 pounds heavy carrying, 45 pounds straight pulling (4 hours); pushing (4 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking & standing 8-12 hours; repeated bending 12 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable @ 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). Transferring patients and objects may be required. ["The Nurse Educator possesses the knowledge and skills to coordinate and facilitate learning opportunities aligned with Adult Learning Theory, Instructional Design, Evaluation Impact and ROI methodology, and continuing education/contact hour credit standards from the Iowa Board of Nursing and other accrediting bodies. The Nurse Educator provides collaboration, guidance and support to nurses who develop evidence-based practice through the evaluation of interdisciplinary processes and improvement projects. Functions and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Set an example of excellence in clinical practice and act as a resource to Nurse Managers and clinical staff.\n- Be a knowledge leader regarding current evidence-based care.\n- Provide mentorship for employees in the development and enhancement of clinical skills.\n- Systematically evaluate current practice and formulate outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise.\n- Identify educational and learning needs, and collaborate with the assigned nurse manager to develop unit education or in-services to meet learning needs.\n- Share knowledge and education expertise throughout the organization on an as-needed/consulted basis.\n- Shows leadership in improving patient care and help to enhance staff education and professional development using evidenced-based practices.\n- Initiates interdisciplinary projects to improve performance.\n- Assists in yearly competencies with staff, including educational offerings throughout the year.\n- Assesses patient care processes, policies, and procedures related to clinical practice and performance improvement for effectiveness; makes recommendations and/or implements strategies for improvement.\n- Develops data capture and reporting procedures to track progress of program initiatives.\n- Develops policy guidance, motivational materials, and information to facilitate participation in program and unit/clinic initiatives.\n- Maintains and updates policies, SOPs, and guidelines prior to expiration.\n- Demonstrates knowledge of health care policy and regulatory processes, and supports maintaining regulatory compliance through the development and support of quality improvement processes, including collaborative strategies with others.\n- Demonstrates ability to work effectively with stakeholders both internal and external to the organization.\n- Assists in maintaining unit safety and security through educational support, including the monitoring and tracking of compliance with the environment of care required education and Prevention and Management of Distributive Behavior Training.\n- Leads quality improvement programs and initiatives including system redesign to improve access, quality, efficiency, and satisfaction both internal and external customer base.\n- Actively looks for opportunities to improve service delivery and provides feedback to management, staff, and team.\n- Participates on and/or leads Nursing committees and activities.\n- Routinely schedules rounds or learning huddles to ensure the diffusion of evidenced based nursing practice and communicates practice changes.\n- Works in collaboration with management to ensure Joint Commission, OIG, AWE, VACO, CARF, and other regulatory body standards of care are adhered to.\n- Demonstrates collaboration and leadership within Learning Service to proactively communicate issues, create viable solutions and share project tasks to achieve the best experience for all involved. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm or 7:00am-3:30pm\nTelework: Available, Ad Hoc\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]