The Surgery Department Associate Chief Nurse is responsible for the clinical and administrative operations for all outpatient Surgical clinics. Surgery clinics include Dermatology, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Eye, Vascular, General Surgery, Colo-rectal, Plastics, ENT, Audiology, Dental, Urology, Radiation Oncology, Cardiothoracic, and Neurosurgery clinic.
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. Preferred Experience: Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) 3-5 years recent nursing experience Leadership and Management experience Surgical (Inpatient and/or Ambulatory), procedural experience Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12739120. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of examination.
The Surgery Associate Chief Nurse also supports, encourages and supervises the Administrative and clinical staff throughout the Surgery ICC. The Surgery Associate Chief Nurse supports, encourages and coordinates Surgery outreach to the Community Based Outreach Clinics. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work. Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and the requirements of the assignments, and the capabilities of subordinates. Evaluating the performance of subordinates. Making recommendations for appointments, advancements, or reassignments of subordinates. Giving advice, counsel, or instruction to subordinate personnel on work and administrative matters. Hearing and resolving complaints of subordinates and referring more serious complaints not resolved to higher level supervisors. Recommending and/or taking disciplinary action where appropriate; and Identifying developmental and training needs of subordinates and providing or making provision for such development and training (VA Handbook 5007, Part III, Chapter 8). Facilitates a high functioning team of Administrative Support including MSA Supervisor, MSA Lead, AMSA, and clinical personnel who will systematically review processes regarding clinic operations, referral processes, and scheduling of patients according to VA scheduling Directives, and MVAHCS processes. Strives to ensure that clinics meet or exceed pertinent performance measures. Monitors performance and ensures clinical staff have the appropriate tools and resources to meet pertinent performance measures in collaboration with the Clinic Physician Leadership. Knowledge of VHA Directives, Handbooks, Memos, Business Rules and Performance Measures, MVAHCS Policies and Standard Operating Procedures and departmental Standard Operating procedures and policies. VHA Support Service Center (VSSC) and MVAHCS Data Cell Reports, Clinic Profile Management, DSS Identifiers, Consult Business Rules, and familiarity with Joint Commission Standards, Allocation Resource Center (ARC), VERA, Managerial Cost Accounting & Analytics (MCAA); Ensures that all programs are operated according to such policies, procedures and standards of performance. Evaluates and identifies the operational needs of the clinics on an annual or more frequent basis and forecasts the demand for services. Facilitates the procurement of essential equipment and supplies in collaboration with Physician Clinic Leadership. Develop and implement long and short-range strategic goals in conjunction with ICC leadership, forecast future needs and identify areas for further development and/or improvement of services; Identify trends and make recommendations regarding processes, policies, workflow, accessibility, quality/continuous improvement. Leads area specific tiered HRO huddles. Anticipates risks and takes action to mitigate risks, knows when to raise concerns to a higher level. Participates in the creation of the integrated organization wide capacity to continuously improve toward the goal of high reliability, predictability, prevention of harm, and standardization of best practices. Manages relationship with the local Union(s), Employee Labor and Relations (HR) and management. Has knowledge of the AFGE contract, management rights and follows processes for union notification and proposal when impact and implementation issues may arise. Manages Unit Time and Leave, is proficient with VATAS, develops a staffing plan, approves time and leave according to facility policies and demonstrates good organizational stewardship when approving OT, UT and CT. Occasional travel may be necessary to CBOCs for this position. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: ADHOC-May be authorized (Employee who Telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.