Career Center

The Chief Nurse-Acute Care Services provides executive leadership and direct supervision to the Nurse Managers over the following units: Acute Care Units, Intensive Care Unit, and Emergency Department. Assesses, plans, and evaluates the processes and daily operations of the medical units. Designs and implements interdisciplinary programs within the service and medical center. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of five (5) years successful clinical practice and/or minimum three years (3) critical care or progressive care with demonstrated leadership abilities in coordinating care in a multidisciplinary setting in a tertiary care setting. Two (2) years of practice as a nurse manager within the last 5 years. - National Certification in Nursing Administration or as Nurse Executive (NE-BC) Current proficiency in Basic Life Support (BLS)/ACLS through the American Heart Association (Required prior to assuming clinical duties and must remain current -VHA Directive 11-77) Member of an appropriate professional nursing organization and seeks continuing education and professional development opportunities consistent with the annual learning plan. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. 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: 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 wear 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, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Major Duties Include but not limited to: Assesses and recommends the allocation of human and materiel resources, in determining staffing levels using NHPPD or other models in areas not yet under NHPPD, managing overtime, and plays a significant role in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff. Ensures competency assessment is completed on each nursing employee annually. Reviews IPEC, Performance Measures, and other data for trends and early intervention; formulates follow-up plans with Nurse Executive Team, Nurse Managers, the service, and the medical center. Ensures planning, organizing, directing, and controlling service-wide infrastructure issues which include overall operation of the service, responding to internal and external communications, maintaining knowledge of and communicating standards of nursing practice and patient care, and developing systems to enhance overall operations and communications within the service. Has significant medical center and service policy responsibilities in the development and refinement of processes to meet the needs of the medical center. Ensures processes are in place for continued accreditation readiness and participate in rounds to survey nursing units. Promotes evidenced-based practice designed to validate and/or improve patient care and health care delivery. Ensures audits and reviews related to nursing care are completed and compares findings against accepted standards of practice and regulatory requirements. Promotes high reliability principles and patient safety and reduces risk of adverse events. Maintains content of professional documents such as scopes for advance practice nurses, scopes for registered nurses for procedures beyond basic education, and scopes of care and practice for each nursing unit. Reports directly to the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services and covers in his/her absence as designated. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]