Careers

The primary role of the Adult Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (ACCNP) is to provide direct care management of complex medical and surgical patients in consultation with critical care medical and surgical physicians. 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 the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. 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. 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, possess a Master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, 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: Nurse practitioner experience with surgical or ICU care. 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 - 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a 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. 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), light carrying (under 15 lbs.), moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), reaching over shoulders, walking (6-8 hrs.), standing (6-8 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13-16 in. to Jaeger 1-4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability, clear speech. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The ACCNP works in collaboration with ICU Attending Physicians, the Clinical Director ICU, Medicine Service, ICU nursing staff, respiratory therapy, pharmacy and other clinical services within the care management of critically ill patients admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Additional responsibilities will include cross-coverage for patients in the Spinal Cord\nInjury/Disability (SCl/D). The incumbent will ensure that the clinical care of all patients is consistent with existing best practices and performance measures. Write orders for ICU admissions and transfers, labs, medications, procedures, respiratory and rehabilitative therapy, psychological and radiological studies and consults. Perform approved, standardized procedures in the ICU in accordance with procedural privileges, skill, and proficiency. Such procedures include, but are not limited to: endotracheal intubation, placement of central venous catheter to include dialysis catheter, pulmonary artery catheter, PICC line, arterial line, feeding tube and nasogastric tubes, Foley catheter, performing arterial and venipuncture, thoracentesis, paracentesis, tube thoracostomy, lumbar puncture, and moderate sedation. Ensure continuity of care between ICU staff, patients, and their families. Perform clinical follow-up review on all surgical patients within 24 hours of being transferred out of the ICU to another ward within the facility to ensure that patients continue to be appropriate for a lower level of care once they leave the ICU. Respond to requests from Medical-Surgical and SCl/D Registered Nurses for consultation on/evaluation of ward patients. Evaluate and monitor potential ICU admissions from within the facility. Work Schedule: 6:00am to 6:00pm/6:00pm to 6:00am\nCompressed/Flexible: Compressed\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]