The Chief, Nursing Services is accountable for the management, leadership, and supervision of assigned programs and manages the personnel and resources. Is accountable for day-to-day operation and management of Nursing Services (Acute Care, Community Living Center, Urgent Care Center (UCC), Employee Occupational Health, Safe Patient Handling, Home and Community Based Care (HCBC), Connected Care (Home Telehealth, Telehealth and My HealtheVet) and Respiratory Therapy.
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: 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. 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. 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 and Experience Requirement. Master's degree in nursing and four 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 and a bachelor level degree in nursing and four 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, Doctorate in Nursing and three 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, Doctorate degree in a related field and a master or bachelor level degree in nursing and three years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. Dimension Requirement. Nurses at Nurse IV must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for Nurse IV. 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 Culture. Employs an industry- leading, shared decision-making culture. Cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Employs an industry- leading, shared decision-making culture. Cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, cultural 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 culture 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/. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires a combination of walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, bending, pulling, and pushing with potentially long periods of sitting. Transferring patients and objects may occasionally 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 during patient procedures and care. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Use of fingers, both hands, and near and far vision is required.
Major Duties include but are not limited to: The Chief, Nursing Services is accountable for the management, leadership, and supervision of assigned programs and manages the personnel and resources. Is accountable for day-to-day operation and management of Nursing Services (Acute Care, Community Living Center, Urgent Care Center (UCC), Employee Occupational Health, Safe Patient Handling, Home and Community Based Care (HCBC), Connected Care (Home Telehealth, Telehealth and My HealtheVet) and Respiratory Therapy. 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, influence organizational mission and health care, and responsibility for outcomes. The Nurse IV is responsible for administrative functions of his/her assigned units/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Services and other services. Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Assist nurse managers /supervisors and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide Assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs Collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care Responsible for planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating programs and outcomes; daily attention to complex personnel management problems Implements strategies to improve service delivery and ensures health care operations meet and exceed standards Collaborates with outside VA facilities and community facilities to coordinate and provide effective and efficient services Promotes a practice environment that empowers nurses and the healthcare team to provide compassionate and efficient care Aggregates data and participates in the budget process to plan for current, emerging, and future resource requirements (financial, human, materiel and/or informational) Ensures staff adheres to and appropriately utilizes the program standards, practices, and recommendations Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates educations strategies to meet complex care needs within changing practice environments for diverse population groups Provides a leadership role in professional, community, and governmental bodies that shape health care policy, contributing to the development/improvement of the healthcare delivery system and better patient outcomes. Provides leadership in research or research utilization in the areas of nursing, health and/or management systems which are congruent with the organization's mission and goals 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: 0730-1600 Monday - Friday with 24 hour a day, 7 day a week oversight Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Yes - You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required