The Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (DCNO) provides program oversight, direction, coordination and leadership in all nursing performance activities and other clinical healthcare programs under his/her direction throughout the VISN as assigned by the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

Duties

Specific leadership and management responsibilities may include, but not limited to: Reports directly to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), provides coverage and is the clinical expert for nursing in the absence of the CNO. Facilitates network-wide reduction of variance in nursing practice. Facilitates management of organizational change required to achieve nursing goals, including identifying and facilitating resolution of obstacles to achieving those goals. Identifies and communicates best practices and innovative nursing activities and facilitates their network-wide deployment. Promotes a system of high reliability, accountability, psychological safety, and a just culture where all nurses are engaged in improving the quality of nursing care for veterans. Provides oversight for staffing methodology across the Network to ensure adequate workforce of nursing personnel to promote safe patient care. SME for Nursing Qualifications Standards. Provides leadership to VISN programs related to EHRM implementation. Acts as liaison and promotes integration of Network programs with EHRM. Reviews nursing workload, productivity measures, and benchmarks to assure consistent levels of nursing care. Ensures the development and implementation of policies and programs for the recruitment and retention of qualified competent nursing personnel. Responsible for improving and streamlining the VISN nursing and patient care services onboarding processes to improve fidelity and timeliness. Plans and conducts annual retreats and summits for the nursing executive staff throughout VISN 7 on an annual basis. Maintains joint responsibility and accountability with the CNO for nursing standards of practice, recruitment and retention, long-range and short-range planning, and model development for the effective delivery of health services. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility, network, and national levels. Performs other duties as assigned VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm EST (subject to change based on agency needs) Telework: Ad-hoc telework available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation Incentives: May Be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May Be 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. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse V: Scope: Practice of an executive nature, comprised of complex leadership and administrative components, associated with critical health care issues and activities that drive meeting the organizational mission, health care and policy. Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral 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 IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimension Requirements: Leadership. Establishes the strategic direction for health care delivery, evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Creates a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the organization or enterprise level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care through the application of new processes, technology, informatics, data analytics, business principles, systems thinking and resource management at the organization or enterprise level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Establishes an industry leading, shared decision-making culture; a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families, and caregivers of all backgrounds; builds trust and cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the organization and enterprise level. Communication and Relationship Management. Drives the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional and organizational values, beliefs, and practices at the organizational or enterprise level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Sets the standard for a culture of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the organization or enterprise level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans, the community, and the health care industry. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing or related field. Knowledge of Clinical systems, programs, and practices and how they relate to the mission and goals of the Network and VHA. Methods to ensure ongoing, comprehensive evaluation and improvement of healthcare delivery systems. Systems analysis and resolving complex systems issues. Change management with a comprehensive knowledge of clinical guideline development. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. 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 as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Contacts

• Address VISN 7 DIRECTORS OFFICE VA Southeast Network 3700 Crestwood Parkway, NW Duluth, GA 30096 US
• Name: Chijioke Okereke
• Email: [email protected]