The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) is seeking an Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) for Inpatient Nursing Service. This position is assigned to the Office of Chief Nurse Executive at the FHCC in North Chicago, Illinois.

Duties

VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. The ACN 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 and influence organizational mission and health care. The ACN is responsible for administrative functions of their assigned units/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with all areas in the Healthcare System. Responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, controlling and evaluating programs and outcomes; daily attention to complex personnel management problems; participation in executive level decision making deliberations and; provision of guidance and direction for the development and implementation of established standards of nursing practice. The ACN is the recognized authority in the analysis and evaluation of programs and issues, and is subject only to administrative and policy direction concerning overall project priorities and objectives. At this level, the ACN is typically delegated complete responsibility and authority to plan, schedule, and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of programs or organizational effectiveness including collaboration with multidisciplinary partners to meet program goals. The ACN for Inpatient Nursing Service will work effectively with other Associate Chief Nurses and Nurse Managers to ensure clinical oversight for nursing as well as providing essential support for planning and implementing appropriate resource utilization and distribution. The ACN will be available to support the ongoing nursing needs of patients and nursing staff across all services/service lines and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's). The ACN provides executive leadership and direct supervision, to include but not limited to, the direct management team of the intensive care unit (ICU), medical surgical unit (med/surg) and the inpatient mental health (MH) unit. The ACN is a direct liaison, consultant, and leader for all matters pertaining to inpatient units and operations. The ACN must possess or acquire the needed competency and skills to safely and efficiently oversee the inpatient units. The ACN must have an understanding of mental health principals to identify the unique care and safety needs of the mental health population that is seen in inpatient medicine and specifically the inpatient mental health units. supervise nursing staff in the mental health continuum across the healthcare system. Additionally, the ACN will be or relay upon experts to appropriately facilitate the Mental Health Environment of Care Rounds (MHEOC), therapeutic behavioral responses, programming and milieu management, and the usage of restraints within FHCC. Maintains routine activities within the assigned area, prioritizes non-routine activities and responds to those requiring attention during the absence of the Associate Director for Patient Care Services. Acts on behalf of the Associate Director for Patient Care Services when requested and/or attends scheduled committee meetings, representing the Associate Director for Patient Care Services in discussion and decision-making. Manages patient care through supervisors and by coordinating patient care resources. Makes rounds in the clinical areas as appropriate as consultant to staff and to ensure safe delivery of patient care. 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, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Ad hoc per the discretion and approval of the incumbent's direct supervisor. 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: Have at least a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing with a Master Degree in Nursing or related health-care field; a Master of Science in Nursing via a Bridge Program (no BSN required); OR a Doctoral Degree in Nursing or related health-care field with a BSN and Master Degree in Nursing or a related health-care field. Have a minimum of four (4) years' experience in progressively responsible leadership assignments, with demonstrated supervisory/administrative competencies in directing change and effectively managing human resources. This may be demonstrated through experience as a Nurse Manager / Supervisor, Clinical Nurse Leader, or Assistant/Associate Chief Nurse (or equivalent) at a larger, more complex healthcare facility. Have written and spoken English language proficiency. Maintain current BLS certification. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with multiple service lines and disciplines. Proven ability to facilitate group problem solving, along with previous experience leading and/or facilitating performance improvement projects, teams, and groups. Demonstrated computer literacy and skill in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, VISO and Excel. Excellent organizational, communication, writing, and time management skills. Demonstrated ability in data tracking, management, analysis, and feedback of results. Proven ability to utilize sound judgment in making performance management and continuous readiness decisions. Demonstrated ability to accurately implement policies, regulations, standards of care and standards of practice; and Ability to work variable and flexible tours to meet program demands. 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. 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: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the ability to perform job-related duties which require word processing, computer key board typing, computer screen viewing, working with data in Excel and Access, PowerPoint presentations, answering/placing telephone calls, filing, note taking and prolonged sitting up to 4-6 hours. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Occupational Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.

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

Contacts

• Address Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Shamya Hall
• Email: [email protected]