The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) serves in Whole Health Service under the Chief of Staff, delivering high-quality, timely care aligned with VA's mission. The NP delivers integrative health services, working independently to manage a patient panel using evidence-based, lifestyle-focused care. Preference given to those with Whole Health or lifestyle medicine experience.
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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). NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. License and Certification: License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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: Formal training or certification and direct clinical application in at least one of the following: Biofeedback Clinical Hypnosis Health Coaching or Lifestyle Medicine Coaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Functional or Integrative Medicine Nutrition Coaching Guided Imagery Experience delivering care in chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, COPD), women's health, sleep health, weight management, or tobacco cessation. Prior experience leading or contributing to group-based care models, interdisciplinary teams, and/or personal health planning. Familiarity with program development, outcome evaluation, and clinical innovation in a health system setting. Proven ability to function independently in a clinical setting, including initiating consults and care planning. 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. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. Must complete- annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Serves as the primary clinical provider on-site, demonstrating strong professional autonomy, self-direction, and clinical leadership in the delivery of Whole Health integrative services. Provides evidence- based support for lifestyle behavior change and chronic disease self-management, including services related to weight management, stress, sleep, tobacco cessation, and physical activity. Independently manages a panel of patients with chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, obesity, COPD) using a Whole Health and lifestyle medicine approach. Develops Personal Health Plans (PHPs) tailored to Veteran goals, values and the biopsychosocial context. Provides patient education, motivational interviewing, and skills training related to sleep, stress management, movement, substance use, and nutrition to align with Veterans' PHPs. Delivers and/or coordinates access to complementary and integrative health (CIH) services, including clinical hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, and other modalities as available. Collaborates closely with team members, including recreation therapists, health coaches, and clinical providers, to provide individualized and group care, including shared medical appointments (SMAs) when appropriate. Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Initiates specialty consults as needed. Participates in program development, data tracking, and quality improvement related to Whole Health services. 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: 8:00am-4:30om Telework: Adhoc, may be approved with supervisor approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized