The Assistant Chief Nurse (ACN) of Sterile Processing (SPS) and Perioperative Service is to assist the Chief Nurse in providing leadership and clinical oversight of all nursing staff and programs that report to the Chief Nurse of SPS and Perioperative Care. These will include Surgery Center located at Lee County Healthcare Center and CWY Bill Young VA Medical Center. The ACN provides guidance and direction for the development and implementation of established standards of Nursing Practice.

Duties

The Assistant Chief Nurse uses lean and system redesign principles to design delivery models and innovations in Veterans' care. The ACN provides leadership and assumes continuing and substantial responsibility for the service. They are responsible for population groups with advanced age, multiple chronic conditions, life limiting illnesses, frailty or disability associated with disease, aging, or injury. In conjunction with the Chief Nurse, the ACN has 24/7 oversight and accountability for services under scope of responsibility. The ACN demonstrate expert administrative and managerial techniques, maintenance of professional competency, optimal physical and emotional wellbeing. They are self-directed and shows initiative. They have specific knowledge in the programmatic responsibilities for the designated area. The ACN 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. The ACN has expert knowledge in the areas of Veteran care practices, management theory, quality system standards, education, communication, program administration, and are a resource to Veterans, families, and care givers. They demonstrate expertise and comprehensive understanding of the service line and processes. They have knowledge of pertinent standards, best practices, policies, and precedents which affect the program and related resources. The ACN will have knowledge of major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes and administrative operations of the service. They will demonstrate skill in analytical techniques including, evaluation criterion for measurement and improvement of program effectiveness, service productivity, including all metrics and performance measures. Collaboration with others in organizing delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning. Uses acquired clinical knowledge/judgement to promote staff involvement in planning their acquired clinical knowledge/judgement to promote staff involvement in planning decision-making, and evaluation outcomes. Functions as a proficient manager in clinical practice and/ or areas related to their assigned roles and responsibilities. Systematically evaluating current practice and formulating outcomes for patients and/ or organizational processes within the assigned areas. Guides, develops, and supports staff from a management perspective, using professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities within their area. Demonstrate expert administrative and managerial techniques, maintenance of professional competency, optimal physical and emotional wellbeing. Assists the Chief Nurse, SPS (Sterile Processing Systems) with oversight of quality and compliance of the Sterile Processing Program. Assists the Chief of Perioperative Services with oversight of quality and compliance of perioperative program at the LCHCC Other duties as assigned 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- 4:00pm with possible rotation to off tours, weekends and holidays to meet the needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for a highly qualified candidate. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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. 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: 4 years of progressive clinical and leadership experience with demonstrated knowledge and expertise in administration. Experience in SPS (Sterile Processing Systems) and Perioperative service line Master's Degree in Nursing. National 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 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: 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.

Education

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

Note: 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/. 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.

Contacts

• Address CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Karen Martin
• Phone: 727-710-7984
• Email: [email protected]