Chief Nurse - Acute Care Nursing Service

Summary

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is a Level I major interdisciplinary teaching facility with care serving medical - surgical - and neurological inpatients & outpatients - with a Level III Emergency Department along with multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). There are inpatient and outpatient psychiatric population treatment programs - with admissions for medical co-morbidities. Home & Community-based nursing care - to include home-based primary care from the SAVAHCS.

Qualifications

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/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing
• 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
• In the performance of duties - the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties include but not limited to: The Nurse IV Chief Nurse functions as an advisor - administrator - educator - consultant - and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability
• The Nurse IV Chief Nurse provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services (DADPCS.)The Nurse IV Chief Nurse supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals
• They champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a culture of safety founded on a system approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention - not punishment - with collective mindfulness
• The Nurse IV Chief Nurse collaborates with interdisciplinary team members - including other program and service leaders at the facility and network
• They work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide
• The Nurse IV Chief Nurse relates effectively with customers - families - and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels
• They assist the DADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them
• The Nurse Chief contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care - policies - and objectives for the enhancement of nursing
• Oversees the practice of inpatient nursing staff (24/7)
• Responsible for the practice by registered nurses - licensed practice nurses - and allied health staff (health technicians - etc.) in Acute Care
• Exercise authority and approval over Acute Care nursing job descriptions - nursing care policies and procedures
• nursing standards of patient care - treatment - and services
• Represents nursing at senior department/medical staff committees
• Participates in and fully supports workforce and succession planning - and employment decisions
• Responsible for daily operational and resource managements of the clinical programs within the include the coordination of care among the various disciplines and
• services
• Develops - organizes - and directs clinical and non-clinical operational aspects with an added emphasis on delivering services where it is needed
• Routinely analyzes plans and actions related to practice - quality and safety issues to identify and improve performance and attain outcomes for Veteran healthcare
• Assist nurse managers and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them
• Able to inspire individuals to build consensus and cooperation that creates a shared vision and advance goals
• Advances one's knowledge through the continual application of evidence-based research
• Translates evidence into practice throughout the organization
• Assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs
• Develops and supports an environment for ethical decision-making throughout the organization
• Collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and healthcare
• 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
• Demonstrates the ability to use computer software in support of preparing and presenting reports and analysis
• Other Duties as assigned Preferred Experience Nurse Chief or equivalent experience Four to five years nursing practice Minimum of two years of successful management leadership experience in one or more areas of Inpatient settings
• Use to working in a highly complex environment with clinical and administrative oversight for a full range of areas 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 to 4:00PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized