The Associate Chief Nurse is responsible for overall leadership for nursing care practice throughout MTVAHCS which includes both the Substance Use Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs and Outpatient Mental Health. This position has responsibility to ensure safe high quality nursing care is delivered to patients. The Associate Chief Nurse ensures the nursing staff provides competent nursing care based on established nursing standards of practice.

Duties

The Associate Chief Nurse, RRTP/Mental Health Services is a member of the Mental Health Dyad and works closely with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health to implement and promote the model of care for Mental Health. The Associate Chief Nurse is highly motivated with experience in addressing highly complex system issues and supporting efforts to enculturate problem solving amongst all levels of staff across the Mental Health Program in order to improve employee engagement, performance, staff retention and employee satisfaction. The Associate Chief Nurse, possess a sense of team and a collaborative framework in addressing issues. Experience is necessary with VHA policy and regulations, the Joint Commission (TJC), Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), VA review processes such as System of Ongoing Assessment and Review Strategy (SOARS), and Office of Inspector General Reviews (OIG) and other agencies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Montana Board of nursing, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Associate Chief Nurse is responsible for recruitment, hiring and supervision of nursing staff assigned to these areas and programs, fiscal management, and safety compliance. This individual works effectively within an interdisciplinary framework and has excellent communication skills with staff at all levels of the VA and with families and veterans. The Associate Chief Nurse works with the Nurse Executive and other Nurse Leaders to maintain a high level of nursing practice for the Health Care System, the Chief of Social Work, Psychology, Recreational Therapy, RRTP Chief, as well as, the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health, and Associate Chief of Ambulatory Care to direct and provide comprehensive care to veterans. Additional collaboration and collegial relationships are expected with all other clinical and administrative service representatives to ensure high quality comprehensive care delivery with an emphasis of safe environment for all patients and staff. In addition to the direct supervision of above areas the Associate Chief Nurse will work collaboratively with non-PCS chiefs of services that employ nursing personnel. As part of these duties s/he will be responsible for reviewing Functional Statements, give expert advice to the non-PCS services on nursing scope of practice and duties, information and training on Nursing Professional Standard Boards processes and requirements, competency assessment and training, and acts as a general subject matter expert. The nurse participates in decision making and policy development that influences the practice of nursing throughout the MTVAHCS, i.e., across all Care Lines and at all sites. The Associate Chief Nurse will act as a subject matter expert for Professional Governance and other nursing service committees and workgroups. Temporary Promotion MAY be offered to RNs that meet the qualification requirements. If selectee is not eligible for temporary promotion, their current salary will be applicable for the duration of this detail. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. Nurse V - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN (or a Bachelor's degree in a related field) and approximately 5-6 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree (preferred) in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 4-5 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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Mary Pierce
• Phone: 406-447-7559
• Email: [email protected]