Associate Chief Nurse - Geriatrics and Extended Care

The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) is responsible for the operational planning and expansion of services for the Community Living Center and Home-Based Primary Care for the VANHHHS-St. Albans.

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. 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:

• Approximately four years of successful nursing practice, three years of which includes progressive leadership positions in nursing and patient care services in settings with broad program mission, scope, and complexity.

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: Exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Responsibilities:

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

Duties:
The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse provides leadership and oversight for both clinical nursing practice and administrative duties; establishes/promotes optimal standards in care delivery and develops policies/procedures which incorporate current evidence-based practice; works with peers to formulate strategic directions for the GEC Nursing Service; plans, implements, and leads activities to enhance customer service; and collaborates with other healthcare disciplines to establish and sustain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and overall healthcare delivery.

The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse is also responsible for collaborating and coordinating with VA medical facility leadership to promote learning experiences and improve performance of nursing personnel in CLCs. The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse collaborates with appropriate Service Chiefs to design and implement programs and processes that will enhance quality indicators reported to the National Patient Safety Center. Examples include data related to enhance infection prevention and patient safety capabilities that are expected from a Community Living Center. Examples of reportable data includes Sentinel Events, Falls with Hip Fractures, Pressure Ulcers, and Catheter Related Infections. The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for GEC is responsible and accountable for assessing and recommending the allocation of resources, both human and material, necessary to ensure positive outcomes for current and future Community Living Center (CLC) residents. Additionally, the Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for GEC is responsible for developing future nurse leaders and expanding academic affiliations and partnerships with community educators in nursing programs. The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for GEC will serve as a recognized leader in Long Term Care delivery from the resident's entry into the facility through any one of the GEC programs; Hospice, Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), Care Giver Support Program, Coordinated Transition of Care (C-TraC), Home Transitional Program, and on to admission to the residential care units in the CLC. The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse is instrumental in establishing and fostering relationships with the other Central Florida Long Term Care, Respite, Hospice/Palliative Care and Extended Care programs, universities, and volunteer organizations. The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for GEC incorporates performance improvement and staffing effectiveness data to design effective, efficient care delivery models, manage assigned budgets, and establish staffing levels to optimally meet the needs of each patient/resident.

The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for GEC has responsibility and accountability for all nursing care activities in the Community Living Center, Hospice/Palliative Care, Home Based Primary Care, Care Giver Support programs, Coordinated Transition of Care (C-TraC), and the Home Transitional Program. The Nursing Site Manager or Associate Chief Nurse for GEC will serve as the direct supervisor of Nurse Managers, RN MDS Coordinators, RN Admissions Coordinator, second line supervisor for staff nurses, nursing assistants, and administrative staff, assigned to GEC Services.

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: 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required