The RN-Educator is a licensed registered nurse responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the Education Program. The RN-Educator must execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches of staff education involved in the management of complex resident care utilizing sound clinical judgment. The Nurse Educator reports directly to the Nurse Manager Nursing Education/Evidence Based Practice.

Duties

The Nurse Educator functions independently and practice is based on conscious and deliberate planning utilizing critical thinking skills. This Nurses primary education assignment includes but is not limited to, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Long Term Care units, SCI Outpatient Clinics and SCI Home Care. Duties will include, but are not limited to: Works collaboratively consulting with Chiefs, Nurse Managers/Supervisors, Medical Directors, and organizational Leadership to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs for staff, maintain and enhance clinical competence, and manage ongoing education and competency programs. Demonstrates consistent and timely effective communication skills and displays exemplary professional behaviors. Serves as a role model and clinical leader demonstrating excellence in practice, serves as a clinical mentor/preceptor for clinical and administrative staff, consults and collaborates in patient care and research, and educates in both formal and informal situations. The Nurse Educator demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating educational activities including but not limited to unit orientation, just-in-time training, nursing- related new computer applications, and continuing education. Demonstrates excellence in practice, serves as a clinical mentor/preceptor for clinical and administrative staff, consults and collaborates in patient care and research, and educates in both formal and informal situations. Demonstrates leadership in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to plan, direct, deliver, and improve holistic care. Demonstrates familiarity with established policies and procedures in accordance with the Joint Commission, other regulatory agencies, and VA policy. Exhibits ability to articulate and interpret organizational policies and procedures to the health care team. Functions as one of the key people in the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to the standards. Promotes evidence based clinical practice and assists staff and leadership with Quality Management and Performance Improvement programs, including research projects. Takes initiative and utilizes innovative and creative approaches for changing practice based on performance improvement findings and evidence based practice. Provides education and aids staff in planning and developing educational programs to meet their own needs, as well as serving as a resource for complex nursing care standards. As a change agent, promotes an environment that embraces new knowledge, innovations, and improvements. Participates as applicable with general educational directives, training, in-services, orientation, and educational programs. Fosters staff participation in educational projects and activities to promote professional development. Acts as a resource and liaison by serving on facility-wide committees, councils, and task forces. Incorporates Just Culture and No Harm concepts while promoting the facility's goal to become a High Reliability Organization. Other duties, within the scope of licensure, as assigned by Nursing Leadership. 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-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm with flexibility to meet program needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12645472. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience/Education: 3-5 years Spinal Cord Injury experience CRRN certification Simulation Lab experience 2-3 years Clinical Instructor/educator experience Excellent interpersonal relationship skills Flexible and able to adjust to ever-changing work environment MSN or Master's Degree in a related field Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Contacts

• Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Chelsea Jones
• Phone: 813-816-7155 X100594
• Email: Chelsea.Jones@va.gov