The Nurse IV Director of Nursing (DON) executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence the organizational healthcare mission.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: The Nurse IV DON functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability. The DON provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS) and Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services (DADPCS.) They are a key member of the nursing executive leadership team and are responsible for all aspects of care that fall under the operations service line, providing administrative oversight and direction in the programs within the service. They possess solid knowledge of Nursing and Emergency Nursing regulations, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines, medical review criteria, clinical practice and documentation requirements, current standards of care, compliance guidelines, and bargaining agreements. The DON supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals. They champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a culture of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness. The DON collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network. They work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide. The DON relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. They assist the ADPCS and DADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them. The DON contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing. The DON is responsible for making recommendations for appointments, advancements/promotions, or reassignments of staff reporting to them or within the service line. They give advice, counsel, or provide instruction on work-related or administrative matters. They hear and resolve complaints, receive escalated concerns, and refer to subject matter experts as appropriate. They recommend and/or take disciplinary action where appropriate. They partner with the bargaining unit (Union) and adheres to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles. 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 through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework Eligible: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Click to Add Telework Description Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Nurse IV Education and Experience Requirement. Master's degree in nursing and four 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 and a bachelor level degree in nursing and four 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 Doctorate in Nursing and three 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 Doctorate degree in a related field and a master or bachelor level degree in nursing and three years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. Preferred Experience: 5 years recent experience with coordination of care in community, or within a complex health care system. 3 years recent management experience; national certification in leadership or related specialty. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs.), straight pulling (6 hr.), pushing (2 hrs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (6 hrs.), standing (2 hrs.), kneeling (1 hr.), repeated bending (6 hrs.), both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), visual acuity 20/30 corrected. Environmental Factors: Working with hands in water, working closely with others.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Shelly Graham
• Phone: 503 220-8262 X55320
• Email: [email protected]