Summary

PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET. The James A. Haley VA Healthcare System's Surgical Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Nurse Practitioner (NP). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards - as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected - but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications
• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• 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
• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner from a school of professional nursing
• (Transcripts Required) The education must be accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)- NOTE: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013 -or- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) - an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
• In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs - the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency - such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Applicants with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current - full - active and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment
• License: Active - current - full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• (Copy of NP License Required) Nurse Practitioner Board Certification: Must possess and maintain full and current board certification as a NP in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• The certification must be in one of the following certifying bodies: (1) The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• or (2) The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
• or (3) Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared
• (Copy of NP Certification Required) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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: In addition to the basic qualification requirements - the grade level of a NP is based on a combination of education and experience
• Nurse Practitioner II: Scope
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Education and Experience Requirement
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Dimension Requirement
• NPs at this grade are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice
• Delivers evidence-based health care - demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel - population or program
• Outcome Focus
• Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program - presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care
• Leadership
• Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care
• Professional Development
• Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice
• Professionalism/Collegiality
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior - promoting cooperation and teamwork
• Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes
• Nurse Practitioner III: Scope
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex client care
• Education and Experience Requirement
• Meets basic education requirement for a NP-II -and- possess one year of specialized NP experience equivalent to the NP-II grade level
• Dimension Requirement
• NPs at this grade are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice
• Influences and models the delivery of evidence-based health care - demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel - population or program
• Outcome Focus
• Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations
• Leadership
• Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel - population or program
• Professional Development
• Acquires knowledge and skills - then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility
• Professionalism/Collegiality
• Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel - population or program level
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior - promoting cooperation and teamwork
• Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians
• Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements - but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification - may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II - as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Nurse II to Nurse III
• Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health
• This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - use of cranes and motor vehicles - walking & standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• As a Licensed Independent Provider - the Nurse Practitioner practices autonomously and in coordination with health care professionals and other individuals
• The incumbent provides a wide range of health care services - including the diagnosis and management of acute - chronic - and complex health problems
• health promotion
• disease prevention
• health education
• and counseling to individuals - families - groups and communities
• Must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center
• Other duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Providing high-quality care - increasing access & improving outcomes for Veterans
• Evaluating and treating Veterans with Orthopedic conditions - initiating consultations and follow-ups
• Performing pre-surgical history and physical exams - admission orders - discharge summaries and operative procedures
• Ordering and interpreting medical tests and x-rays to include specialty procedures (MRI - CAT - Myelograms - Nuclear Medicine studies etc.) Writing orders for patient care - evaluation and treatment plans
• Performing clinical procedures to include minor surgical procedures (e.g. - suture removal - removal of foreign bodies - joint injections etc.) Applying and removing casts - splints - dressing - braces and various other devices used in the treatment of orthopedic patients
• Making arrangements for further care if appropriate (e.g. - by entering consults) and serving as a consultant to other providers
• Performing general patient counseling - providing education - and participating in pre and post operative patient planning
• Assisting with surgical procedures in the operating room under the supervision of surgical staff
• Working collaboratively with all levels of staff including trainees (e.g. - medical students - NP/RN students - PA students - interns - residents - etc.) and a multidisciplinary staff in a fast-paced educational - and collegial environment
• Developing and implementing evidence based nursing protocols and organizing educational activities targeted toward staff training and development
• Other related duties as assigned 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 - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs)
• Telework: Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.