The Chief Nurse VA Community Care Services is the clinical and administrative coordinator for all aspects of Community Care includes: policies and practice, budgetary and administrative oversight of compliance with VHA Directives. This position provides oversight for the local OCC Department to include: Administrative staff for review of eligibility, authorizations and scheduling etc., Registered Nurses (RN's) for care coordination.

Duties

The Chief Nurse for the local OCC may provide oversight for other departments i.e. Interfacility, Intra-facility, Traveling Vet (TVC) program staff. VANIHCS is part of VISN 10, VA Healthcare System, and consists of the following care sites: South Bend Annex, St. Joseph VA Health Care Clinic, Fort Wayne Health care system, Fort Wayne Annex, Muncie Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), Peru CBOC, Goshen CBOC, and Marion Health care system. VANIHCS is a complex, integrated health care system with approximately 1,600 employees, a catchment area covering over 15,000 square miles, servicing over 40 counties, and serving over 45,000 Veterans. Services provided include, but not limited to: audiology, cardiology, Community Living Center, dental, dermatology, diabetes clinic, home-based primary care, home oxygen clinic, ICU (Fort Wayne Health care system), Inpatient Mental Health, gastroenterology, MRI, neurology, occupational therapy, oncology, pain management, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, post-traumatic stress disorder care, primary care, prosthetic and sensory aids services, psychology, pulmonology, palliative care, recreation therapy, homeless Veteran services, and speech therapy. The Chief Care in the Community provides executive leadership and direct supervision for the Community Care Service. This service works directly for the Associate Director Patient Care Services and has oversight of all functions associated with traditional Non-VA care, purchased care, third party administrator provider agreements, financial and regulatory controls for the purchase of care in the VANIHCS catchment area. Assesses, plans, and evaluates the processes and daily operations of the Community Care program. This is a complex collection of laws, policies, and processes involving VA providers, community network providers, Third Party Administrator (TPA), a $50+M budget and 42,000 Veteran enrollees. Provides administrative, clinical and financial oversight to Community Care Services including, inpatient care, all manner of outpatient care, including scheduling, authorizations, TPA coordination, provider agreements, reconciliation of budget and paid claims, case management of patients referred to the community, travelling Vets, and hospital notifications. Liaisons with VA providers, network providers, patients and staff is paramount. As an ambulatory care facility, large numbers of patients seek portions of care in the community. The Chief must monitor progress toward goals using multiple data sources and VISN and national guidance. Orchestrating the work of a myriad of staff including financial techs, RNs, AMSAs and providers will be necessary to achieve care for 42,000 Veterans and budgeting within a $50+ million budget for purchased care. Serves as Acting Associate Director Patient Care Services when needed. 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, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Is available on an Ad-hoc basis 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

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: 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. Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making culture. Cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a culture of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community. 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 visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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.

Contacts

• Address Northern Indiana HCS 1700 East 38th Street Marion, IN 46953 US
• Name: Diana Tursi
• Phone: 260-249-7488
• Email: [email protected]