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The Registered Nurse (RN), Assistant Chief Nurse (ACN) is a self-directed nurse leader who is accountable to the Chief Nurse for Extended Care Services (ECS). The ACN ECS ensures administrative support and guidance while providing oversight for the delivery of nursing care and management of nursing personnel and clinical resources. 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. 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. Preferred Criteria: Current BLS provider card by the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Training Network (MTN) Leadership skills and knowledge to include: outstanding verbal and written communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and experience dealing with complex interpersonal situations 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 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 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until September 29, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 28th, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required The Registered Nurse (RN), Assistant Chief Nurse (ACN) for Extended Care Services (ECS) works collaboratively with the Interdisciplinary teams, including the Chief Nurse, Nurse Managers, Advance Practice Nurses and Medical Providers. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Systematically evaluates and provides administrative support for nursing care, program implementation, personnel management and overall operations for the units in the service area as needed/delegated. Provides coordination and accountability for all regulatory and environmental surveys and adheres to mandatory response timelines. Assumes administrative accountability in Human Resources and Labor Relations activities. Participates in designing, implementing, monitoring and revising systems to ensure the cost-effective use of resources and enhance patient care according to Health Care System strategic goals and initiatives. Continually evaluates efficacy of existing programs and introduces necessary changes when indicated. Initiates new programs to further the goals and performance measures of the Service. Works closely with Nurse Managers and Chief Nurse on personnel actions including feedback and counseling for nursing staff, service recovery activities and consults on hiring procedures. Participates in patient flow activities such as consult management, screening patients/residents for admission, working collaboratively with the designated Home Care Service (HCS) staff for these processes. Knowledgeable in the application and completes reports regarding policy and procedures that include but not limited to: staffing reconciliation, payroll exceptions, risk management, patient incident and personnel accident, Executive Equipment Committee (EEC) and sexual harassment allegations. The Assistant Chief meets successfully the critical and non-critical elements of the Executive Career Field (ECF) performance appraisal and core competency. Provides direct supervision for Nurse Managers as assigned. Responsible for strategic and succession planning in collaboration with the Chief Nurse for the service. Promotes shared decision-making, transformational leadership and a 'No Fear' culture. Believes in the professional practice of nursing and consistently demonstrates and advocates professional characteristics."]

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