Summary

The Nurse IV - Associate Chief Nurse 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. Responsible for administrative duties for their assigned nursing units/programs.

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 IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 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 with a BSN and 4 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 a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 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 a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Dimensions: Leadership
• Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices - industry-leading research - and innovative care models
• Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level
• Business Acumen
• Transforms health care by implementing new processes - technology - informatics - and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level
• Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture
• Employs an industry leading - shared decision-making culture
• Cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans - families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust - cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values - beliefs and practices at the program or services level
• Professional and Social Responsibility
• Operationalizes a culture of holistic care - health advocacy and health equity
• Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level
• Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community
• Preferred Experience: 3 years nurse manager experience
• 3 years experience in Special Procedures (i.e. - Operating Room - Endoscopy - Cath Lab - Interventional Radiology - Bronchoscopy - Pre-op clinic - and Perioperative Care Unit)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• straight pulling (2 hours)
• pushing (0.5 hours)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (8 hours)
• standing (8 hours)
• kneeling (1/4 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours)
• mental and emotional stability
• working with infectious patients (i.e
• COVID-19 - Tuberculosis (TB) - etc.)
• Environmental Factors: Excessive noise - intermittent - radiant energy
• electrical energy - slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• unusual fatigue factors (working)
• working with hands in water
• working closely with others
• working alone
• protracted or irregular hours of work
• and wearing aseptic mask.

Duties

• The Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) functions as an advisor - administrator - educator - consultant - and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability
• The ACN provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS)
• The ACN must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers - families - and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels
• Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Assists in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs
• Supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals
• Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care - policies - and objectives for the enhancement of nursing
• Assists nurse managers and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them
• Collaborates with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care
• Relates effectively with customers - families - and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels
• Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care - policies - and objectives for the enhancement of nursing
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members - including other program and service leaders at the facility and network
• Assists the ADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them
• Responds 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
• Follows up on sentinel events and/or other adverse events
• Reviews reports - performance measures - and other data for trends and early intervention
• formulates follow-up plans with the service and other services as necessary
• Assesses and recommends the allocation of human and materiel resources - in determining staffing levels using Nursing Hours Per Patient Day (NHPPD) or other models - managing overtime - and plays a significant role in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff
• Develops management standard operating procedures
• Provides executive leadership and direct supervision to the Nurse Managers
• 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 - 0730-1600 - with 24-hour commitment based on needs of patient care
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Required