Medical Support Assistant (Advanced)
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: April 7, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
Temple, Texas
Salary
$126,860 - $211,489
per year
Type
Full-Time
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This job is for a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to veterans in a hospital setting in Temple, Texas, focusing on delivering comprehensive health services and improving patient outcomes through teamwork.
It's a great fit for experienced nurses with advanced degrees who enjoy working with diverse patient groups, especially adults and the elderly, and want to help veterans while potentially getting help with student loan repayment.
No prior work experience is needed beyond the basic qualifications, making it accessible for new graduates in the field.
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.
Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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), 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.
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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Walking and Standing (4-6 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).
Major Duties:
The Nurse Nurse Practitioner for Primary Care is accountable for the management and supervision of patient care programs that promote quality nursing care and effective utilization of personnel within areas of assignment: Other responsibilities include leading, integrating, facilitating, and evaluating programs and outcomes; daily attention to complex personnel management problems; participation in executive level decision making deliberations; and performance in a full range of administrative duties.
The incumbent works independently using sound judgment in making decisions and provides leadership to interdisciplinary groups at all levels to include the executive level.
Demonstrate exceptional relationships and communication and leadership skills with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels.
Clinical Duties: The incumbent is expected to remain privileged and practicing in their specialty field of Ambulatory Care.
Coordinator of client care and accountable and responsible for the quality and outcome of care rendered.
Standards of nursing practice include planning care, ensuring a safe environment, and making appropriate referrals and re-evaluations.
Observes, assesses, intervenes, evaluates, and rehabilitates; provides care and counsel; educates those who are ill, injured, infirm or experiencing changes in normal health processes; and orders medications and treatments approved by the VISN 17 formulary in accordance with his/her individual scope of practice statement.
Adheres to the Nurse Practice Act, Code for Nurses, VHA regulations and outside accreditation bodies in accordance with established standardized policies and procedures, and within demonstrated competency levels.
Provides adult client care appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the young adult through geriatric client ages within existing product/service lines (e.g., acute care, extended care, psychiatric care, ambulatory care, etc.) Provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and treatment of disease.
Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and social sciences, and the application of that knowledge to patient care and the education of others.
Clinical Judgment: To ensure practice-based learning and improvement, practitioners are expected to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care.
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of the health care team.
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, sensitivity to diversity, and a responsible attitude toward their patients and their profession.
Practitioners are expected to demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and the systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to optimizing health care delivery.
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 EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This position is not part of the Bargaining unit.
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