The incumbent reports to the Network Director and is a member of the VISN senior leadership team. The incumbent provides guidance and direction to Medical Center Chief Nurse Executives. He/She actively participates at the senior management level within the VISN in overall planning and VISN management activities.

Duties

The incumbent functions as a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). He/She makes recommendations regarding the development of goals, objectives and policies involving quality issues and nursing practice Executive Leadership Team issues for the Network. In addition, he/she will work with the Office of Nursing Services on all nursing related issues. The CNO is the voice of nursing at the VISN level and uses the nursing process in assessing, analyzing, planning, implementing and evaluating outcomes of policies and procedures that involve nursing practice.The CNO understands the regulation and payment issues that affect the VISN's budget. CNO uses his/her knowledge of VA, other federal agencies, and state laws and regulations that affect the provision of patient care (e.g. professional licensure, reimbursement, VA Choice care, etc.) In addition, the CNO takes appropriate action when opportunities exist to adjust clinical operations at both the clinical and programmatic level across the VISN to respond effectively to environmental changes in economic elements. The CNO develops marketing strategies in collaboration with the VISN Executive Leadership Team and marketing experts. The CNO provides program oversight, direction, coordination and leadership in all nursing performance activities and programs throughout the VISN. This position is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence through the application of expertise and influence in the following programmatic areas that comprise nursing programs in VISN 17. Clinical guideline development and implementation for nursing Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Clinical Contact Center Care Coordination: Utilization Management (UM), Traveling Veteran Coordinator (TVC) and Bed Management System (BMS) Organizational development and change management Support nursing specific practice for clinical care strategies and actions The CNO along with facility nursing leaders, participate with the VISN Executive Leadership Team, management, medical staff, clinical areas, and administrative areas in strategic planning and decision-making processes. Specific leadership and management responsibilities include : Directly supervises the SPS and Care Coordination Leads Consults and co-signs the proficiencies of all Registered Nurses employed by the network office who do not report to a Registered Nurse Facilitates network-wide reduction of variance in nursing practice Facilitates management of organizational change required to achieve nursing goals, including identifying and facilitating resolution of obstacles to achieving those goals Identifies and communicates best practices and innovative nursing activities and facilitates their network-wide deployment Promotes a system of high reliability, accountability, psychological safety and a just culture where all nurses are engaged in improving the quality of nursing care for Veterans. The incumbent provides authoritative advice and expertise in all areas of nursing care management by partnering with the facility Associate Directors of Patient Care Services (ADPCSs) to analyze nursing data, monitor nursing practice and address nursing issues. The CNO is called upon to provide counsel on nursing activities within the VISN. The incumbent is a leader in organizational change efforts, with particular focus on changes required to achieve patient care goals. Leadership responsibilities include identifying obstacles to the change process and managing resolutions. He/She must have knowledge of clinical systems, programs and nursing practice, and how they relate to medical center specific needs and the mission and goals of the Network as a whole.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, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Remote: May be available for a highly qualified candidate 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: 4-6 years' experience in ADPCS role Experience managing a clinical contact center, nurse triage call center or equivalent Sterile Processing Services experience Utilization Management and/or Bed Management solution experience Clinical guideline development and implementation for nursing Organizational Development and Change Management Support specific nursing practice for clinical care strategies and actions Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: 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: Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Both hands required, Walking, Standing, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

• If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• 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.

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.

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

Contacts

• Address VISN 17 VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network 2301 East Lamar Blvd., Suite 650 Arlington, TX 76006 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]