The Nurse demonstrates leadership in delivering holistic care through collaborative strategies with others (VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6), proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations, as well as collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Colorado Springs-based Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner (NP) works in direct support of the Cardiovascular Program of ECHCS and other VISN 19 facilities. The NP is academically and clinically prepared to perform a broad spectrum of patient care services in clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health arenas at the expert level. The NP will possess licensed independent privilege (LIP) status through the granting of clinical privileges by the Medical Staff in order to practice autonomously with consultation as necessary. The incumbent will work under supervision of a Staff Cardiologist, who will be readily available for consultations. The allocation of time will be approximately as follows, with possible adjustments in time allocation based on organizational needs: 80%: Conducts continuity clinics in Colorado Springs for ECHCS patients, comprising 4 half-day outpatient clinics/week. This will include patients seen primarily by the Colorado Springs Cardiology NP and providing follow up for patients seen initially by other ECHCS providers. In outpatient clinics, the Cardiovascular NP assesses (by history, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests) and implements treatment for a variety of common outpatients cardiovascular conditions, acting collaboratively with a staff cardiologist. 20% clinic management for above clinics to respond to patients inquiries, follow-up on test results or medication changes, and schedule/coordinate care and procedures at RMR'-VAMC, other VISN 19 facilities, or non-VA facilities. Stress Testing: When stress testing is implemented at the Colorado Springs CBOC, some of the above time allocation may be shifted to stress testing or other diagnostic testing. If the incumbent does not possess the required training and experience for testing, he/she will be trained in stress testing at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC. After acquiring clinical privileges for stress testing, 10-20% time may be reallocated to proctoring cardiac stress tests, working with cardiologists to assess appropriateness of testing and review and manage results of testing. Other responsibilities may be assigned consistent with experience and qualifications as determined by Chief, Cardiology, RMR-VAMC, including time spent in collaborative activities at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO. 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: Tour of duty will be variable. Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Available (ADHOC only). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not 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: Cardiology NP experience of 2 years or more. 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 III - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - Master's degree in nursing and approximately 1-2 year's 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 and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. 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 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. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations 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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Julia Heath
• Phone: (720) 723-4804
• Email: [email protected]