This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Actively develops and manages collaborative partnerships with physicians, other clinicians, and ancillary staff. Accountable to the Nurse Manager (NM). The incumbent provides oversight for the administration of leave, counseling and disciplinary actions in collaboration with the NM. Acts as the NM during times of the NM's absence. Collaborates with NM, functions as a supervisor and assumes accountability for the daily operations of the to include staff nurse and administrative duties. Manages, supervises, and evaluates the care delivered by staff and other allied health care staff. Responsible and accountable for contributing to the establishment and implementation of evidence-based nursing standards of practice. Creates a positive work environment which enhances care delivery and professional development of clinically competent staff. Promotes, creates, demonstrates, and ensures a culturally diverse workforce. Responsible and accountable for appropriate orientation, education, continuing professional development of nursing personnel (RN, LVN/LPN, CNA, administrative staff), scheduling, staffing, evaluating, directing, and supervising nurses and ancillary staff as directed by NM and in the absence of the NM as well as during off tours hours (e.g. after 4:30 PM), weekends, and holidays. Duties are divided as follows; direct patient 50% - supervisory/administrative duties 50%. Provides care and counseling for Veterans in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process in support of improving or maintaining Veterans' functional status and well-being including but not limited to, systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling, execution of medical care regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. Knows how to obtain translation services for patient or families with limited English language proficiency or who need sign language services. At the direction of the NM, the incumbent directs practice according to established policies, standards of care, and standards of practice, and is responsible to ensure that nursing practice and operations are compliant with all applicable local, VISN, or National Standards, policies, statutes and regulations (e.g., VHA Directives/Handbook, The Joint Commission (TJC), Long-Term Care (LTC), Office of Inspector General (OIG), ANA). The ANM plays a key role in the ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of the quality and effectiveness of nursing care and services relative to Veteran care outcomes (e.g., Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL)). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800-1630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP May be Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit Status:This position is part of the bargaining unit. 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

Requirements

Qualifications

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. License: 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. Preferred Experience: Leadership Experience Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills Registered Nurse with a minimum of 5 years with Adult Health BSN degree or higher 2 years in VA PACT Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (1 hour); Pushing (1-3 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing; Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Sitting (8 hours); Simple grasping (2-4 hours); Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours); Twisting (2 hours); Mental and emotional stability.

Education

EDUCATION ACCREDITATION: The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) must be recognized by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by either of the following accrediting agencies at the time the program was completed by the applicant:

1. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) OR
2. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
3. ACEN/NLNAC or CCNE program or degree accreditation may also be found under the U.S. Department of Education

NOTES:

• Department of Education: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
• Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
• School Name: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• No longer on accreditation site: If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet

IMPORTANT - Transcript: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Contacts

• Address George H O'Brien Jr VA Medical Center 300 Veterans Boulevard Big Spring, TX 79720 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]