The Assistant 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. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
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 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/12786564. 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: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, stooping, moderate lifting, or kneeling (VA Qualification Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer) . Examples may include but are not limited to: 1. Reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching. 2. Assisting patients and moving equipment, repeated bending, pushing, and/or pulling. 3. Significant amounts of time standing while assisting assigned patients. 4. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols. 5. Visual acuity and keen hearing. 6. Manual dexterity. 7. Possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don personal protective clothing in isolation situations. 8. Operative/invasive procedures. 9. Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or mental health disorders. 10. Employee must complete employee health requirements as directed. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, such as irregular tours of duty (i.e. nights/weekends) and may require up to twenty-five (25) percent travel from the duty station to other sites/CBOCs as appropriate to provide direct patient care, training needs, or emergency situations (i.e. hurricanes, floods, pandemic, etc.) Preferred Experience: Candidate must have three to five years supervisory nursing experience required; experience in a variety of nursing leadership, practice and outcomes improvement activities highly preferred MSN. National certification BLS required and ACLS preferred Experience in providing leadership for program responsibilities include program development, implementation and logistics: Demonstrated high-level performance in interpersonal communication and collaboration. THIS POSITION HAS 24/7 RESPONSIBILITY.
Responsibilities include the Inpatient Acute Care Units (critical care and medical surgical), and the Emergency Department. Specific Acute Care units/programs assigned for more in-depth oversight and accountability. Assigned Acute Care Nursing units/programs and staff will report directly to the ACN. This role works with all levels of staff and varied disciplines within the facility, including members of top-level leadership, promoting the philosophy and attitude of a high reliable organization with safety and quality of care of the Veteran being the focus. The Assistant Chief Nurse assists with overseeing the timely and accurate completion of all recruitment and hiring processes. Ensure that the orientation of new staff is complete and correctly documented. Promote a culture of safety. Assist with the accurate completion of routine administrative functions including scheduling, timekeeping, payroll duties, labor mapping, all Electronic Permission Access System requests (EPAS), BLS review for compliance, review of performance appraisals, proficiencies, and ECFs, assigned action items, and records management. Action planning and tracking of completion for All Employee Survey data, Operational Plan, Veterans Experience Office plan and others. Lead quality improvement activities based on data. Assist with identifying staff knowledge gaps and collaborates with nursing management and education. Stay informed of programmatic changes provided by VA Central Office, VISN or local leadership. Maintain knowledge of the standards of care, and accrediting body's requirements for Acute Care. Additionally, they assist with policy and standard operating procedure development, review and updating practices based on evidenced based practice. Job duties include but are not limited to: Planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating programs and outcomes. Use lean and system redesign principles to design delivery models and innovations in Veterans' care. Provide leadership and assumes continuing and substantial responsibility for Nursing Service within their designated area. Responsible for population groups with advanced age, multiple chronic conditions, life limiting illnesses, frailty or disability associated with chronic disease, aging or injury as well as the integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines. Demonstrate advanced planning and decision-making skills and expert knowledge of nursing practice. Demonstrate expert administrative managerial techniques; maintenance of professional competency; optimal physical: and emotional wellbeing. Knowledge of the programmatic responsibilities for their designated service area. Participates in assessing the environment, analyzing trends, transmitting data, communicating ideas, developing, and implementing policies, initiating programs and systems, and collaborating in the management of resources. Knowledge in the areas of Veteran care practices, management theory, quality system standards, education, communication, and program administration. Demonstrate expertise and comprehensive understanding of the service line and processes. Knowledge of pertinent standards, best practices, policies, and precedents which affect the program and related resources. Knowledge of major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the service. Analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and service productivity, including all metrics and performance measures. 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, 0700-1530 w/ flexible hours Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation Incentives: May be Authorized for highly qualified applicant Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be authorized for a highly qualified applicant