Advanced Practice Nurse Nurse (APN) - Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Cardiology

Full Job Description

The Advanced Practice Nurse Nurse(APN) - Nurse Practitioner(NP) - Cardiology position is with the VA South Texas Health Care System with a duty location at Audie L.

Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd. in San Antonio, TX.

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.

(Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate 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).

NOTE: Foreign Education.

Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.

License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Preferred Experience: Minimum 2 years clinical practice in adult clinical cardiology Familiarity with device interrogation and triage Ability to function in a team that includes cardiologist, advanced practice providers, nursing and pharmacy providers Familiarity with electronic medical record, preferably CPRS Interest in both inpatient and outpatient cardiology Familiarity with heart failure guidelines and guideline-directed medical therapy The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians.

Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 405(c)(2)(B).

Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP).

Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.

Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice.

Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus.

Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.

Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development.

Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality.

Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.

Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.

Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice.

Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus.

Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership.

Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.

Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality.

Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level.

Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork Physical Requirements: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VASTHCS Policy related to physical requirements.

Moderate Lifting of 15-44 pounds, Light lifting under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Reaching above should, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 8 hours, Standing for 8 hours, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Major Duties:

Independently manages a panel of cardiology patients with acute and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice.

Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management. Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team.

Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Initiates eferrals and consults to specialty services.

Provides education to patients and their families. Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence Patient care, systematic evaluation of clinical practice, program development, consultation, interdisciplinary collaboration and problem resolution across service and disciple lines.

Provides preventive health medicine, chronic disease management and episodic acute medical care. Prepares treatment plans.

Performs histories and physicals, education and counseling of patients with Cardiac diseases and treatments, formulation of diagnosis, ordering and providing preliminary interpretation of lab studies.

Develops, implements and evaluates the clinic collaborative practice agreement within this specific clinic area.

Conducts health assessments of patients/families with real or potential, acute and/or chronic health problems. Initiates referrals to specialty services and fosters continuity of care.

Initiates selected therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, consultation, and laboratory examinations. Prescribes and revises medical regimes.

Interprets findings and plans of care according to collaborative practice agreements and protocols within designated areas.

Provides patient/family education and counseling in the areas of health promotion, maintenance and disease prevention.

Participates in team meetings and conferences to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to primary health care delivery and serves on departmental and multidisciplinary committees, which influence or determine policies affecting nursing practice.

Serves as a liaison between patient and community, and acts as health care advocate.

Identifies quality improvement issues and develops unit-based quality improvement programs, as well as standards of care and practice. Participates in approved medical and nursing research studies.

Maintains a current level of knowledge relevant to professional practice. Acts as a resource to staff and implements educational programs.

Participates in the evaluation of the cost effectiveness of services provided. Maintains accurate and confidential medical records.

Records physical findings and formulates plan, based on patients condition.

Consults and collaborates with physician and other healthcare providers as needed regarding patient care management issues and in the development of comprehensive patient care plan.

Analyses new knowledge gained from conferences, workshops, professional literature, or hands on training and assimilates this knowledge into clinical practice.

Identifies clinical quality indicators for Cardiology populations. Conducts systematic reviews when required.

Sets and develops standards of practice, policies, and procedures for the Cardiology specialty population that are consistent with professional standards of practice.

Implements methods & processes to sustain changes in nursing practice, programs of care, and clinical innovation.

Facilities evaluation of records by physicians, peers, and quality standards, according to protocols and receives and implements constructive directives.

Performs Acute Care and referral to in-patient status from Cardiology Clinic if necessary. Reviews Cardiology Consults and E-Consults as needed.

Other duties are performed as directed by the Chief of Cardiology.

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: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This position is not part of the Bargaining unit.