Duties

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

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Responsibilities

Definition: The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is a registered nurse who has a graduate degree in nursing. The APN roles include clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner. The APN provides direct and indirect patient care that includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, and treatment of health problems. In addition to clinical practice, the APN role includes education, research, and consultation. The APN functions within a scope of practice commensurate with training, demonstrated expertise, and licensure.

Relationships: The APN is accountable for the care of designated patients and/or clinical programs. The APN functions autonomously, as guided by 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 within the VHA and the community.

Credentialing: The APN scope of practice statement will identify the individual's prescriptive authority as well as description of routine and non-routine professional duties and the general areas of responsibility to be performed. The relevant credentials of each APN will be verified and the scope of practice will be approved by the appropriate facility-based authorizing body or Chief of Staff.

Scope of Practice: The scope of practice of all nurse practitioners in all areas of clinical practice is defined in the four (4) dimensions outlined in the Nurse Qualification Standards, dated 03/17/2009. Within the four dimensions of nursing, nine criteria define the performance requirements for nurse practitioners and is specific to the Grade.

Nurse III: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches in the management of complex patient care.

Nurse Practitioner Ill: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches in delivering primary and comprehensive health care, incorporating selected medical services into the management of individual, families, and group with an emphasis on the promotion of health and prevention of disease.

Practice Dimension (Practice, Ethics, Resource Utilization)
1. Practice: Provides leadership in the application of the nursing process in client care, organizational processes and/or systems, improving outcomes at the program or service level.
(a) Uses sound clinical judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating care for individuals and/or population groups:
(b) Provides leadership in managing/coordinating care for patients, assuming responsibility and accountability for actions.
(c) Completes initial assessments and reassessments of patient's condition and response to treatment and other clinical findings. Initiates follow-up as needed and documents using clear, concise, and objective data.
(d) Investigates complex patient care problems and promptly seeks solutions/consultation.
(e) Develops and implements a plan of care to meet individual patient or population specific needs, including self-care and treatment measures. Modifies approach based on knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations.
(f) Initiates and/or recommends laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and/or specialty referrals based on protocols, clinical practice guidelines and/or standards of care.
(g) Engages the interdisciplinary team in active problem solving, regarding clinical issues leading to an improvement in care.
(h) Role models safe and effective practices, including:
(1) Procedures for cleaning, transporting, and storing reusable medical equipment (RME).
(2) Appropriate use of safe patient handling equipment.
(3) Adheres to infection control practices while using equipment and providing patient care.
(i) Prescribes and/or recommends laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and/or medications based on current medical center, VHA, and DEA policy and within scope of practice.
(j) Assumes a leadership role in utilizing problem-solving methodologies to resolve system and/or system(s) improvements:
(1) Demonstrates ability to function effectively in leadership roles.
(2) Displays leadership in identifying and evaluating issues and implementing processes to improve clinical programs.

Work Schedule: 7:45AM - 4:30PM - Monday - Friday
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
3

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

Basic Required Qualifications (Per Handbook 5005) Nurse Practitioner

• U.S. Citizenship, Birth or Naturalized (appropriate documentation required)
• Master's degree from an NLN or CCNE accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• National Certification as a Nurse Practitioner
• Current, full, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse
• State approval to practice as an NP
• At least one year of successful medical practice with demonstrated knowledge and awareness of health needs of patients in Internal Medicine and/or Primary Care
• Health care professional or other allied health professional who provides health care services to Internal Medicine and/or Primary Care patients as part of their regular responsibilities

Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d), 7407(d). Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of at least two years of successful practice as a Nurse Practitioner providing medical care to patients
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with other disciplines
• Demonstrated excellence in written/verbal communication and time management
• Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery
• At least five-years' experience of medical practice with demonstrated knowledge and awareness of health needs of patients in Internal Medicine and/or Primary Care

Preferred Level of Education Nurse Practitioner
MSN with Adult, Family or Primary NP or DNP
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Preferred Certification(s) BLS, ACLS
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 I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
· Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
· Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
· Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 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: The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring Veterans and objects may be required. May be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Responsible for the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment, according to the medical center policies. Required to use available safe patient handling lifting devices in all clinical areas. May also be exposed to Veterans who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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

Testing Designated Position: 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.
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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• VA Form 10-2850a
• Resume

VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850a-091998-fill.pdf .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• VA Form 10-2850a
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.