The Chief Nurse for Specialty Programs provides executive leadership and direct supervision for Virtual Care, Nonskilled In-Home Care, Care Coordination / Integrated Case Management, Utilization Management, Care Coordinators, and Nurse Educators.
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. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: 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. Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle. Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) ANCC Certification: NE-BC, NEA-BC 3-5 years recent nursing leadership and management experience 5-7 years of clinical nursing experience Experience in managing interdisciplinary teams Strong knowledge of telehealth platforms Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets, quality initiatives, and performance metrics. Proven ability to drive innovation in care delivery, such as hybrid telehealth-homecare models Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), moderate lifting (15-44 pounds). Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds). Pulling hand over hand, pushing 1 hour, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required. Walking and standing up to 8 hours. Repeated bending up to 2 hours. Both legs required. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Ability to distinguish basic colors. Ability to distinguish shades of color. Hearing (aid may be permitted). Prolonged sitting.
The Chief Nurse for Specialty Programs functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability. He/she is clinically, administratively, and professionally accountable to the Associate Director Patient Care Services for the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of a comprehensive Nursing Care delivery program within Virtual Care, Case Management/Care Coordination, and Utilization Management. The Chief Nurse for Specialty Programs supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient­ centered and organizational goals. The Chief Nurse for Specialty Programs collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network. The Chief Nurse for Specialty Programs works closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide. The Chief Nurse for Specialty Programs relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized