Duties

The Specialty Care APN is accountable for the care of designated patients and/or clinical programs. The APN functions autonomously, as guided by the functional statement, scope of practice, and collaboratively with other health care providers to manage patient care needs. The APN serves as a liaison throughout the continuum of care between clinical and administrative services and other health care facilities with the VHA and community. The APN responsible for the care of patients by providing a history and physical examination, diagnosis, prescribing treatment modalities and ordering diagnostic tests to determine the effectiveness of treatment modalities. The APN collects and synthesizes patient data utilizing critical thinking skills to formulate a comprehensive plan of care. The APN is involved in interdisciplinary teams that focus on improving care processes. Care is provided to patients with the goal of achieving quality patient care by improving clinical outcomes, increasing continuity of care, and minimizing health care costs. The APN is expected to perform data collection and analysis for the purpose of improving care to patient groups, maximizing utilization of resources, and enhancing overall patient care.

The APN's responsibility includes functioning within the scope of practice and within the nationally recognized certification. The APN is accountable and responsible for possessing the knowledge and skills to communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with all internal and external customers, maintain confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient/employee information, demonstrate working practices that include to safe use and operation of equipment. The APN also conforms with all medical center and service/service line safety policies, procedures, and or other protocols to avoid injury and/or illness to self and others and may have other duties as assigned and deemed necessary to meet the needs of the Medical Center. The APN is responsible for being self-directed under minimal supervision and instruction. BLS is required. ACLS may be required depending on clinic and responsibilities.

The Specialty Care APN falls under the Ambulatory/Specialty Care Service Line and is accountable to his/her immediate supervisor and ultimately to the Chief Nurse of Ambulatory/Specialty Care Service and the Associate Director Patient/Nursing Services. Refer to the service Organizational Chart for the supervisory chain of command and the location of the position. The immediate supervisor provides administrative supervision and assigns time schedules, approves leave, and completes performance evaluations. There is strong collaboration with the Section Chiefs and Chiefs of Medicine and Surgery for clinic supervision and operations to include but not limited to clinic cancellations, FPPE, OPPE and performance metrics.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Work Schedule: 7:45 to 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Nicholas.Camilletti@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more .
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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 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 ). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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.
• Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• 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.
• Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.

Preferred Experience and Certifications -Must posses 1 - 2 years of Hematology/Oncology experience as a Nurse Practitioner.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse I Level III - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

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: Must be able to pass a physical.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.