Summary

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking a full-time RN - Associate Chief Nurse for Medicine Specialty and Surgery within Nursing Service located in Marion - IL. The Associate Chief Nurse will provide executive leadership and direct supervision to those overseeing operations in acute inpatient services - including Critical Care - Emergency Department - as well as the Medical and Surgical specialty areas.

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 Lifestyle
• Employs an industry leading - shared decision-making lifestyle
• Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans - families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust - lifestyle 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 lifestyle 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: Minimum of five (5) years of advanced clinical practice experience in medicine and surgical nursing - demonstrating and exceptional level of competency in patient care - clinical decision-making - and leadership within a complex healthcare environment - preferably within a Veterans Affairs or similar large healthcare system - and Master's Degree in Nursing or Masters Degree in a related field with a BSN is required with a PhD or DNP preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Moderate Lifting (15 - 44 lbs)
• Light Lifting (under 15 lbs)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs)
• Light Carrying (under 15 lbs)
• Pushing (up to 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 5 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 2 hours)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The incumbent assesses - plans and evaluates the processes and daily operations of all programs within these areas.The incumbent ensures daily processes are in place for continued accreditation readiness and participates in rounds to survey nursing units
• The incumbent must demonstrate experience in quality improvement initiatives - accreditation processes (e.g. - Joint Commission) - and implementation of evidence-based practice
• The incumbent must provide proven track record of developing and implementing nursing programs and protocols aimed at improving patient outcomes - enhancing patient safety - and optimizing clinical operations
• Experience with budget preparation and management - resource allocation - and strategic planning to ensure efficient and effective use of resources
• The incumbent provides In-depth understanding of healthcare regulations - standards - and policies related to nursing practice and patient care within a medicine and surgical specialty context
• The incumbent must have excellent interpersonal - communication - and negotiation skills to effectively collaborate with physicians - other healthcare providers - patients - and stakeholders
• Ongoing commitment to continuing education and professional development - participation in professional organizations - and staying current with industry trends and advancements
• PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications due to having 24-hour telemetry monitoring capability
• If selected - Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment
• Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and ACLS certification obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted
• 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 through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• to 4:30 p.m
• Telework: Ad hoc as needed to meet the needs of the agency
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized