Required certification for this role is Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG), or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC). The Acute Care Pulmonary NP will report directly to the Chief of Pulmonology under the Medicine Service Line

Duties

The Acute Care Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a professional nurse with advanced clinical knowledge and competence to provide professional assessment, coordination, and planning of multiple health care services. The NP is accountable for the management and evaluation of patients under their care. The NP holds clinical privileges and practices in collaboration with the Pulmonary team. Clinical core privileges will include the management, treatment, and ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests for acute and chronic pulmonary and sleep disorders of the adult population. Acute Care NPs are educated, certified, and licensed to care for those individuals who are physiologically unstable, technologically dependent, critically ill, highly vulnerable to complications, have rapidly changing conditions, or have an illness which is chronically complex. The NP functions in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment, and a high level of decision-making ability is expected. The NP will work in both inpatient and outpatient clinic settings. The NP will act as a consultant to hospitalized pulmonary and critical ill patients, rounding in collaboration with attending physicians and Pulmonary trainees. While most of their acute care work occurs in the inpatient setting, the Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine consult service responds to Veterans' needs throughout the organization; care may be provided in many settings, including the Emergency Department and the Geriatric and Extended Care units. The Acute Care Pulmonary NP is familiar with the various pulmonary and sleep diseases and management guidelines, as provided by the Pulmonary team, the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. A wide variety of pulmonary disorders will be addressed, typical for a Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine consult service. Management of diseases may include but are not limited to airway diseases (i.e., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis), respiratory infections, lung tissue disease (i.e., pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis), hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension, lung nodules and malignancies, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and sleep disorders. The Acute Care Pulmonary NP will support the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is responsible for assessing, treating, and monitoring critically ill patients. The Acute Care Pulmonary NP is skilled in management of ventilation, intravenous drip titration, ECG interpretation, and other management of life-threatening illnesses and injuries. In addition to core clinical privileges, the Acute Care Pulmonary NP requests delineated privileges to perform procedures relevant to the position, such as intubation, moderate sedation induction, placement of arterial and central lines, and paracenteses. Provides direct and indirect care to patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings, acting on behalf of the patient to assure that necessary clinical services are received, and that progress is being made toward Pulmonary/Critical Care team care goals. Collaborating with Pulmonary and other interdisciplinary team members to meet SAVAHCS Veterans' needs, which includes transitional care coordination. Monitoring and management of sleep disorder devices, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, assisting with bronchoscopies, and/or interpreting polysomnograms, using an approved standardized procedure once competency has been established and delineated privileges have been granted by Credentialing and Privileging Office. Improving health outcomes through disease treatment and prevention of future complications. measures. Educating patients and family members on appropriate disease-modifying lung techniques and preventative. Maintaining mandatory and clinical continuous education of the position and Adheres to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. Seeks guidance and learning experiences that provide professional and personal growth. Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement in the Pulmonary and Sleep Clinics. Makes appropriate recommendations or changes in practice based on feedback and data collected on patients. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Initially Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Compressed Scheduled: Acute Care Pulmonary NPs hired, there is the possibility of a compressed tour (7AM to 7 PM, seven days on and seven days off). 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

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), 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. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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). NOTE: 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. License and Certification: License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (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), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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 Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: 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 on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. 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. Dimension Requirement: APN (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. 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Elena Gonzalez
• Phone: 858-623-1850
• Email: [email protected]