The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is recruiting for one Nurse Practitioner (NP) for Primary Care in our Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Williamsport, PA. The incumbent works as a member of a primary care team consisting of clerical staff, other nurses, physicians, social workers, and clinical pharmacists.

Duties

This position is authorized to provide the right candidate with a sign-on bonus! The incumbent provides or coordinates all aspects of the patient's care including preventive, urgent, and routine care including women's healthcare. The Physician Assistant provides effective care to patients characterized by using sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating patient care for assigned patients. Primary Care is comprehensive, continuous, and covers preventative and psycho-social aspects of patient management. Major Duties and Responsibilities Performing a history and physical (including limited to specialty), diagnosis (including interpretation of clinical studies), treatment (including the prescribing of medications), evaluation, and ordering radiologic and non-invasive diagnostic testing and other interventions requiring the level of training associated with completion of an APRN Specialty from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited program Nurse Practitioners may carry out functions independently in their provision of direct patient care as specified within these clinical privileges NPs requesting delineation of clinical privileges must be credentialed through the VHAs Electronic Credentialing System (VetPro) NPs must be certified in an area of practice from an American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification body, this includes the supervision of trainees and staff who perform these functions or procedures Obtaining medical histories and performing physical examinations Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care Evaluating patients to determine the need for further health care Ordering diagnostic studies and other special tests, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT) scans, etc. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities Ordering or obtaining laboratory specimens Ordering ancillary services, such as, pharmacy, social services, physical medicine and rehabilitation therapies, prosthetic services, etc. Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests for non-VA medical care and consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures Ordering patient care supplies Writing orders for and/or prescribing medications Ordering prosthetic devices; Administering, ordering and dispensing IM, IV, SQ, and oral medications; providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs The PA may also provide care in non-traditional health care settings, such as tele-health, secure messaging, e-consults, and DEMPS Admitting and discharging patients in consultation with, and on behalf of the collaborating physician/service; PAs may be delegated responsibility for admitting patients, but the decision to admit or discharge a patient remains with the collaborating physician(s). Treat opiate use disorder with buprenorphine therapy (training available) in consultation with Behavioral Health Treat Geriatric Primary Care patients and is encouraged to apply for implementation of a Geriatric Primary Care panel (encouraged but not required) Engage in Women's Health treatment, hypertension management, and diabetes management VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (sign-on bonus): Authorized. May be paid out in a lump sum upon starting or over 1 - 4 years in annual installments Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8am to 430pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position 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. Basic Certification: All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared The required basic certification as a Nurse Practitioner must be identified in support of any position being established or filled as an APN (NP). An approved list of NP/APN certifications may be found on the Office of Nursing site at the Office of Nursing Services. Basic certification as a nurse practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment. APNs (NPs) are credentialed and privileged to provide care based upon scope of practice, formal graduate nursing educational preparation, certification and patient population. It is the focus of care based on patient care needs, not the care setting, that defines the provider's scope of practice and basic certification required. The scope of practice is determined by the provider's formal academic education and basic Nurse Practitioner certification. The assignment will either require a specific basic certification as a nurse practitioner, i.e., Mental Health, Women's Health, etc., or may allow for more than one basic nurse practitioner certification. The APNs (NPs) may also hold a specialty certification which in many cases is not specific to a Nurse Practitioner role. Specialty certifications may be highly recommended but are not required as a condition of employment or required for an assignment and do not support the basic board certification nurse practitioner requirement. Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in this occupational series and APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: APN (NP) who is retained under this provision and subsequently leaves the occupation or assignment loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. APN (NP) initially grandfathered into this occupation or assignment, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification and meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. APN (NPs) who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Licensure: 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. Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician Nurse Practitioner (GNT-NP) on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). GNT-NP must take the national certification examination at the earliest scheduled date following the date of their temporary appointment. GNT-NP must actively pursue and obtain required licensure and certification within a year and a day and sign a statement of understanding. Failure to achieve licensure and certification within this period will result in separation from service with two-week's notice. Grade Determination: Nurse Practitioner I (NP-I): No requirements above the minimum qualifications Nurse Practitioner II (NP-II): APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. Nurse Practitioner III (NP-III): APNs (NPs) at the level III are required to have at least one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. APNs (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence-based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Preferred Experience: At least two years of experience in a Primary Care setting 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.

Education

• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (NOTE: the post-master's certificate is formal education awarded from an acceptable school of professional nursing and is not considered board certification).
  • Education Accreditation Requirement. 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:
    • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post-master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (NOTE: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013 ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify).
    • OR,
    • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level.
    • OR,
    • Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.

YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR CONFERRED DEGREE TRANSCRIPTS

Contacts

• Address Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 US
• Name: Nicholas Stenta
• Email: [email protected]