The Chief Nurse, Geriatrics and Extended Care is responsible for the clinical and administrative oversight of all nursing care provided in Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Home Based Care (HBC) and Homemaker Home Health Aid (HHA) programs. Through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, he/she creates a positive work environment which enhances the interdisciplinary delivery of care based on patient needs. 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 or Advanced Healthcare or Business Degree 5+ years Geriatric &/or Outpatient Experience 2+ years Nurse Manager or Civilian equivalent Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: 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. 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, and bending. 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 mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on organizational needs. ["Registered Nurse will serve as Chief Nurse for Geriatrics & Extended Care Nursing. The Chief Nurse 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. Specific practice settings for this administrative assignment include dementia and skill care, Home Based Care, HH/HHA Program, Geriatric Primary Care (GPC), and Palliative Care. The CN GEC ensures program management is consistent with requirements of review organizations and accrediting bodies. He/She is accountable for substantial participation in the service executive leadership decision making; strategic planning, human and fiscal resource management, establishment and continuity of standards. The CN GEC represents service line and nursing on designated Medical Center committees. Responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating programs and outcomes; daily attention to complex personnel management problems; participation in executive level decision making deliberations, and provides guidance and direction for the development and implementation of established standards of nursing practice. The Chief Nurse is also responsible and accountable for demonstrating the educational, experiential, and knowledge/practice-based competency requirements outlined in the following: PRACTICE: Uses an analytical framework, such as the nursing process, to create an environment that facilitates the delivery of care. Coordinates and evaluates integrated programs or demonstrates clinical excellence in management of population groups. ETHICS: Provides leadership in addressing ethical issues that impact clients and staff in or beyond the organization and the local health care community. RESOURCE UTILIZATION: Designs, modifies, and implements systems compatible with professional standards and with the mission and the goals of the organization to improve the cost-effective use of resources. EDUCATION/CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Develops staff for career progression. Forecasts new knowledge needs for changing practice environments/population groups. Plans, implements, and evaluates strategies to meet those needs. PERFORMANCE: Implements standards of professional practice and accrediting bodies, and applicable regulations. COLLABORATION: Demonstrates leadership in developing productive working relationships with groups in other programs, services, academic settings and community agencies. COLLEGIALITY: Contributes to the professional growth and development of colleagues and other health care providers at the local, regional, state, or national level. QUALITY OF CARE: Provides leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of care in diverse or complex programs. RESEARCH: Collaborates with staff, other disciplines, faculty and peers in developing, conducting and evaluating research activities and programs. 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 DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0700-1530, with flexible availability to meet the needs of the facility and the veterans it serves. Telework: AD HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
