The focus of this position's role is on the development and implementation of clinical practice standards and care delivery innovations to (1) improve the outcomes experienced by Clinical Center patients, (2) assure the quality, relevance and integrity of research data collected in clinical studies conducted at the Center, and 3) assist with staff retention through mentoring and fostering critical thinking skills.

Duties

The Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) is a senior member of the interdisciplinary team within a "program of care" as well as within the leadership structure of their respective department and the Clinical Center at large. Provides nursing expertise and leadership in defining the scope of the role and overall accountability for specific patient population(s), including the categories of patients, types of research studies, patient care areas, and types and levels of nursing services needed. Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data about the processes of care, patient outcomes, and effectiveness of the research data collection process. Uses appropriate analytic methods to determine the root cause of poor or unexpected outcomes. Bring findings to Nurse Managers' attention and gain agreement on priority. Works consultatively and collaboratively with Nurse Managers and members of the interdisciplinary care team to develop solutions or process changes and implement them across the program of care. Identifies unit-level resources that may be needed to ensure success and negotiate with the Nurse Manager to make sure they are available. Provides or delegates educational interventions as needed to promote change. Collects data to evaluate the success of changes made and communicates progress and status to the care team and Nurse Manager(s). Using mastery level specialty knowledge and practice experience, Identifies standards of nursing practice to apply to the care of identified patient population(s) as well as potential benchmarks for assessing the level of care provided, and makes information available to the interdisciplinary team. In cases where no standards exist, due to the emerging nature of the practice or specialized nature of research, new methods and criteria or evidence-based practice standards and applies/adapts as appropriate, based on clinical judgment, consensus of the care team, and continuous assessment of patient response and outcomes of care. Provides leadership in the ongoing scientific dialogue within the Institute and Center research teams associated with the specialty practice area. Initiates and presents new ideas for research, study design and development, patient recruitment and retention, issues that arise during the course of a study, implications of a particular protocol for patient care, human subject protection, and use of nursing resources, and discussions regarding safety and adverse events. May participate as an expert nursing representative on one or more Institutional Review Boards. Develops a process to communicate new and upcoming research initiatives and their implications for nursing care to the leadership teams of affected Patient Care Units. Provides solutions for the clinical team in solving complex and problematic implications for care when new protocols are implemented and in developing innovative ways to care for patients participating in studies of new treatments or which involve innovations in technology. Serves as a consultant for the management of particularly challenging patient care problems. Clearly identifies boundaries of roles, and demonstrates expert consultative skills in assessing the situation, determining stakeholders, establishing effective and therapeutic relationships, collecting appropriate data, recommending or demonstrating a solution, and returning ownership of process to original care team. At the request of the Nurse Manager, serves in a similar consultative capacity in relation to particularly challenging team functioning issues or for individual competency assessment and one-to-one teaching for clinical staff. Offers guidance, coaching and feedback to clinical staff as requested by Nurse Manager or staff. Uses discretion in allocating time and resources. Provides leadership as primary spokesperson for nursing practice within a clinical specialty area, including internal interdisciplinary audiences, and external professional community. Demonstrates expert teaching and presenting skills in multiple media, and for large and small groups. Demonstrates comfort and confidence within the complex political environment of the Clinical Center and the broader NIH community. Takes a leadership role in developing the portfolio of nursing research at the Clinical Center. Demonstrates expert skills in assessing the research evidence related to possible practice changes and in implementing pilot tests to assess the effectiveness of new clinical strategies. Critiques research proposals and provides input into study designs. Provides nursing expertise in the areas of human subject protection, assessing the impact of a research project on participants and supporting the recruitment and retention of participants. Negotiates an appropriate level of involvement in independent nursing research with the service chief, based on interest, career goals, skills and strengths and program needs.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Position requires selectee to pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Position has a positive Nursing education and Licensure Examination Requirement.
• This position is designated as Tier I Emergency Essential. See additional information for a description of this designation.
• Graduate degree in Nursing required, please provide transcripts.
• Physical Requirements: Selectee must be able to lift and move items weighing up to 35 lbs.
• Position is subject to a background investigation.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for an Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist), GS-0610-13 position, you must: A. Have a graduate or higher level degree in nursing from an accredited educational program in the area of expertise or specialty indicated by the position. NOTE: Degree from a Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools. AND B. Passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). AND C. Have a current, active, full and unrestricted license, or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States in the clinical specialty required by the position. In addition to meeting the educational requirement, in order to qualify for an Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) position at the GS-0610-13 level, you must have at least 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-0610-12 level in the federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: providing clinical care to varying patient populations with complex needs; serving as the primary nurse or coordinator of care for patients participating in research studies; developing, coordinating and managing research studies and evaluation activities that improve outcomes for patients participating in research studies; administering research interventions, collecting patient data according to study specifications, and evaluating patients response to therapy; interviewing, screening, and recruiting patients for entry onto research studies; generating research questions as a result of new study procedures or interventions; and directing and performing quality assurance and quality control activities as they relate to study adherence, study monitoring, data collection, data abstraction, and data analysis. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12417230 Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Contacts

• Address National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 US
• Name: NIH HR Service Desk Branch E
• Email: [email protected]