The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse will serve as a member of the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine team and functions autonomously within the scope of approved clinical privileges and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team in the management of complex patient problems in an active practice to deliver all aspects of health care services to patients. The Nurse Practitioner reports to Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine.

Duties

The Nurse Practitioner, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, will be responsible for the care of all pulmonary patients, including those with sleep disorders and on home oxygen. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Performs comprehensive health assessments, differential diagnosis, ordering of diagnostic tests and the prescribing of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment in the direct management of acute and chronic illness and disease. Provides specialized treatments to specific patient populations. Works autonomously and in the interdisciplinary teams as resources and consultants . Responsible for the provision of high-quality, customer-focused, cost-effective care to specific patient populations within the clinical area assigned with the JBVAMC. Ensures compliance of advanced nursing practice with all applicable local, community, VISN or National professional statues and regulations. Ensures that the practice of nursing is consistent with external standards such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and internal standards such as the Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Performance Measures for preventive health and chronic disease management. Assesses the educational needs of specific patient populations and develops and implements an educational plan. Collaborates with other Nurse Practitioners and health care providers throughout the JBVAMC and within the community to care for veterans, exchange knowledge and share clinical expertise. Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams in an effective and inclusive manner. Ability to learn about the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary diseases, including but not limited to, sleep disorders and home oxygen use. Independently provides direct patient care and/or telehealth care to patients in the Sleep Disorders clinic, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Work collaboratively with Respiratory Therapy to manage Home Oxygen, PAP and ventilator dependent patients. Advising inpatient and outpatient providers to appropriate pulmonary work-up, as appropriate and/or as per protocol. Place appropriate consults and collaborate across many different medicine specialties and sub-specialties. Provide hands-on patient education about pulmonary therapies and their proper usage including positive airway pressure devices and other forms of non-invasive ventilation. Explain medical procedures and plan of care to patients and family. Assist with scheduling of patients for upcoming procedures, tests, and appointments, including coordinating with other services (division, departments) and completion of necessary documentation, scheduling forms and clearance. Triaging/answering pulmonary patient related phone calls, pages, messages, questions, and requests in a timely manner. Communicating normal and abnormal test results and follow-up recommendations to patients per VA policy. Attends departmental meetings and professional training sessions as requested. Participates in the educational experiences of nurse practitioner students, medical students, residents, and other healthcare disciplines. Serves as a preceptor and mentor. Participates in research and quality improvement projects within the practice area, including chart reviews. Provides cross-coverage for other Pulmonary and Sleep NPs as requested by supervisor. Perform other related duties based on needs of the Section and participate in special projects as assigned. Work Schedule: Day Shift, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available 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. Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant: A) The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), OR B) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) must be obtained. Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education. Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met. Licensure and Certification: The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. (1) License. All APNs (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia, AND All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: i. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); ii. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB); or iii. Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. Basic certification as a nurse practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment, advancement and promotion will be based on the following specific requirement for an APN (NP). The level of practice at which an APN (NP) may perform is based upon a combination of many factors. Beyond the minimum educational requirements, grade determination, upon appointment and advancement, is dependent upon aspects such as continued professional development (formal and/or informal education), clinical performance, judgment, outcomes (at the service level and beyond), leadership and interpersonal skills that influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. As the APN (NP) acquires the knowledge, skills and judgment that accrues with experience, the privilege of increased authority for patient care and service in administrative roles is expanded as applicable. APN (Nurse Practitioner) II. Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. APN (Nurse Practitioner) III Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP). AND One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Preferred Experience: - Current Nurse Practitioner Certification from a national certifying organization that correlates with the role and patient population - National Certification related to area of assignment - Active DEA License and state Controlled Substance Registration - Active BLS and ACLS certification - At least one year of Nurse Practitioner medical surgical experience; pulmonary and sleep disease focus preferred - Demonstrated leadership, self-direction and rational problem solving skills - Ability to work effectively with clinical medical equipment - Documented evidence of excellent communication skills verbally and in writing - Basic computer skills - Previous experience working with underserved patient population preferred 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.

Education

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

Please make sure your resume / CV includes the School of which you earned your degree to include city and state, type of degree earned, as well as the date your degree was conferred (month, day, and year) so your education can be verified.

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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Cherri Varisco
• Phone: 414-530-4548
• Email: [email protected]