Required certification for this role is Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG), or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC). The Acute Care Pulmonary NP will report directly to the Chief of Pulmonology under the Medicine Service Line

Duties

The Acute Care Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a professional nurse with advanced clinical knowledge and competence to provide professional assessment, coordination, and planning of multiple health care services. The NP is accountable for the management and evaluation of patients under their care. The NP holds clinical privileges and practices in collaboration with the Pulmonary team. Clinical core privileges will include the management, treatment, and ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests for acute and chronic pulmonary and sleep disorders of the adult population. Acute Care NPs are educated, certified, and licensed to care for those individuals who are physiologically unstable, technologically dependent, critically ill, highly vulnerable to complications, have rapidly changing conditions, or have an illness which is chronically complex. The NP functions in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment, and a high level of decision-making ability is expected. The NP will work in both inpatient and outpatient clinic settings. The NP will act as a consultant to hospitalized pulmonary and critical ill patients, rounding in collaboration with attending physicians and Pulmonary trainees. While most of their acute care work occurs in the inpatient setting, the Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine consult service responds to Veterans' needs throughout the organization; care may be provided in many settings, including the Emergency Department and the Geriatric and Extended Care units. The Acute Care Pulmonary NP is familiar with the various pulmonary and sleep diseases and management guidelines, as provided by the Pulmonary team, the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. A wide variety of pulmonary disorders will be addressed, typical for a Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine consult service. Management of diseases may include but are not limited to airway diseases (i.e., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis), respiratory infections, lung tissue disease (i.e., pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis), hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension, lung nodules and malignancies, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and sleep disorders. The Acute Care Pulmonary NP will support the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is responsible for assessing, treating, and monitoring critically ill patients. The Acute Care Pulmonary NP is skilled in management of ventilation, intravenous drip titration, ECG interpretation, and other management of life-threatening illnesses and injuries. In addition to core clinical privileges, the Acute Care Pulmonary NP requests delineated privileges to perform procedures relevant to the position, such as intubation, moderate sedation induction, placement of arterial and central lines, and paracenteses. Provides direct and indirect care to patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings, acting on behalf of the patient to assure that necessary clinical services are received, and that progress is being made toward Pulmonary/Critical Care team care goals. Collaborating with Pulmonary and other interdisciplinary team members to meet SAVAHCS Veterans' needs, which includes transitional care coordination. Monitoring and management of sleep disorder devices, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, assisting with bronchoscopies, and/or interpreting polysomnograms, using an approved standardized procedure once competency has been established and delineated privileges have been granted by Credentialing and Privileging Office. Improving health outcomes through disease treatment and prevention of future complications. measures. Educating patients and family members on appropriate disease-modifying lung techniques and preventative. Maintaining mandatory and clinical continuous education of the position and Adheres to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. Seeks guidance and learning experiences that provide professional and personal growth. Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement in the Pulmonary and Sleep Clinics. Makes appropriate recommendations or changes in practice based on feedback and data collected on patients. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Initially Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Compressed Scheduled: Acute Care Pulmonary NPs hired, there is the possibility of a compressed tour (7AM to 7 PM, seven days on and seven days off). 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. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience and Certifications -Required certification for this role is Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG), or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC). Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse II - 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Elena Gonzalez
• Phone: 858-623-1850
• Email: [email protected]