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. 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. Preferred Experience: VA Leadership Training Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Chief Primary Care is responsible and accountable for all clinical, administrative, and performance improvement activities in the PACT and multi-specialty outpatient clinics at the Lexington VA Health Care System and its CBOCs. This position reports directly to the Chief of Staff. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assures that each patient presenting for care at the clinic receives quality medical care within the limits and resources of the clinic, obtaining referral to another VA facility if resources are not available. Directs and supervises the clinical activities of the physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The Chief may also have input on the performance of others such as nurses, administrative support staff, social workers, clinical pharmacy practitioners, and nutritionists. Participates in direct patient care and serves as a role model for peers. Consideration is given to the age of the patient as it relates to the ability to understand directions and provides objective self-assessment or any other medical milieu appropriate to the overall treatment plan. Ensures that staffing, space, equipment, and materials, systems and support services are utilized appropriately to meet the needs of the patients served in the outpatient clinic. Ensures that patients receive care in a safe and therapeutic environment. Ensures that the care of each patient in the outpatient clinic is the responsibility of a qualified and appropriately privileged staff physician. Is responsible for enforcement of applicable medical center and outpatient clinic policies, rules and regulations, and medical staff bylaws. Is responsible for meeting the performance improvement requirements of both the Joint Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs, encompassing the information in the outpatient clinic, and for directing, educating, and involving all staff in these areas in the performance improvement process. Completes annual proficiency evaluations of physicians, PAs, and APNs, and incorporates provider specific performance improvement data in these appraisals. Participates in the resource allocation process for the outpatient clinics. Has overall responsibility for the safety program and action plan in the outpatient clinic. Participates in the various medical center's committees as appropriate. Administers and enforces all leave policies for the individuals supervised. Utilizes workload statistics and other data to ensure optimum availability of staff to meet patient needs. Anticipates clinic staffing vacancies and needs, interviews and selects candidates. Completes annual performance evaluations of physicians and incorporates specific performance improvement data in these appraisals. Arranges for physician coverage to assume the clinical responsibilities of the Section Chief during his/her absence. Is responsible for the oversight of all educational programs in the clinic and participates in the educational programs for primary care. Uses results of monitoring and evaluation activities in the clinic and clinic improvement activities, in planning the educational programs for the medical staff. Encourages and supports professional growth of staff by approval of authorized absence for conferences and workshops, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines by Human Resources Management Service and ACOS/Education. Other duties as assigned. 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 Pay Schedule: NU45 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized up to 25% of annual salary. EDRP Authorized: EDRP Position Information: This position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan reimbursement program within VHA. You must meet specific individual eligibility criteria in accordance with VHA Policy and apply for EDRP within four (4) months of appointment. Final award amount and program start date is determined after review of a complete EDRP application and supporting documentation by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services Office. The EDRP Coordinators can be reached at VISN9HREDRP@va.gov Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
