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, influence organizational mission and health care. Assigned areas of leadership oversight, responsibility and decision-making capabilities include the Community Living Center (CLC), Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and Medical Foster Home.

Duties

The Associate Chief Nurse ensures the currency and implementation of all patient care policies, procedures, and directives. S/he has responsibility for, including but not limited to, area specific quality improvement activities, compliance to accrediting body standards and regulations, related VHA performance measures (CLC SAIL and CLC COMPARE) and monitors, National Patient Safety Goals, RAI/MDS data/performance and Restorative Nursing data/performance. The Associate Chief Nurse assists the Nurse Manager working in the preparation of the annual staffing methodology memo and monitors staffing throughout the year and makes recommendations as appropriate for adequate coverage for nursing units/areas at the Community Living Center. The Associate Chief Nurse works with their unit Nurse Managers and ensures that the areas are always in a state of survey readiness. S/he monitors admissions/discharges and incidents that hinder quality care of residents in the CLCs and works with interdisciplinary treatment teams (IDT) when indicated to improve processes. S/he has oversight of the HBPC and Medical Foster Home programs across the state and supports the Nurse Manager and Coordinators in upholding directives and policies related to patient care, staffing, and expansion of the programs. 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 Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS), i.e., across all Care Lines and at all sites. The Associate Chief Nurse will act as a subject matter expert for Shared Governance Councils and other nursing service committees and workgroups such as the Quality Assurance Process Improvement (QAPI) for the CLC. The MTVAHCS offers a wide variety of services for adult and elderly Veteran patients. The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. Age-related and cultural interventions appropriate to the cognitive, physical, and emotional needs will be employed at all times, tailored to the individual patient, incorporating knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development. The Associate Chief Nurse provides primary assistance in overall administration of Patient Care Services/Nursing Services and in guiding the overall management of the practice of nursing and the profession of nursing within the MTVAHCS. The breadth and scope of the Associate Chief Nurse role extends into all major practice areas, i.e., clinical, administrative, evidence-based practices, and education. This nurse provides a key leadership role in statewide management and supervision of patient care programs and manages nursing and ancillary personnel and resources within the service areas. Functions include planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating programs and outcomes; regular attention to complex personnel management problems; participation in executive level decision making deliberations; directs the integration of nursing and patient care activities in the mutual development and achievement of organizational goals and policy development; provides guidance and direction oversight for the development and implementation of established standards of nursing practice. This nurse participates in clinical and environmental rounds to evaluate organizational care delivery identifying opportunities for program improvement, effectiveness, and to access the therapeutic milieu and safety in clinical 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 with variable hours between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm Telework: Not Available 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: 3-5 years Nurse Manager Experience with work experience in Geriatrics and Extended Care Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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]