Chief Nurse (Amb Care)

Full Job Description

The Chief Nurse, Ambulatory Care (CNAC) is responsible and accountable for the coordination and evaluation of integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines.

The CNAC is a senior level nursing administrator and holds clinical and administrative oversight responsibility for the Nursing operations of designated Ambulatory Care Areas.

Accountable to the Deputy Nurse Executive (DNE) and to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS). Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.

Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.

(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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program.

Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

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.

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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 Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.

Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV.

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership.

Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models.

Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen.

Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level.

Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle.

Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level.

Communication and Relationship Management.

Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level.

Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level.

Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community.

Preferred Experience for this position includes: Master's degree in nursing - Required, or Doctoral degree preferred.

National Certification - ANCC A minimum of three (3) years of full-time professional nursing administrative leadership role, practicing in a variety of nursing settings, including previous supervisory positions in progressively more responsible leadership assignments exhibiting substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care is strongly desired.

Experience with implementation of Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model and initiating programmatic changes supporting the PACT initiatives as well as all initiatives required within the Clinics.

Demonstrated success in planning and activating new units/programs, with demonstrated leadership in formulating new policies/practice protocols and in preparing programs for accrediting body reviews, such as Joint Commission.

A deep understanding of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, including use of the PACT Almanac and experience with the PACT Implementation Roadmap is highly desirable, ONS (Office of Nursing Services) protocols.

Knowledgeable of, and the ability to develop managers and frontline staff competencies in Chronic Disease Management, Non-medication Protocol, Same Day Access, and WC is highly desirable.

Demonstrated leadership serving as an expert in developing methodologies that lead to improved PACT outcomes provided by continual oversight and program evaluation.

Demonstrated success in VHA primary care services performance metrics and other metrics that enhance and support Quality Care and Access in primary care.

3 years Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) experience Outpatient clinic experience BLS BSN Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear 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. Major Duties:

The Chief Nurse is accountable for 24/7 operations of Ambulatory Care Services and works with various disciplines to optimize access and timely, quality care across VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (LLHCS) including the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

The Chief Nurse will regularly travel to the CBOCs as needed for support/coverage of clinical needs.

The Chief Nurse, Ambulatory Care (CNAC) is responsible to work closely with other Primary Care/Ambulatory Care Program leaders in meeting the health care systems mission and vision.

This position includes the responsibility for the collaboration with the service chiefs in charge of related functional areas, e.g. pharmacy, health Administration Service, Social Work, etc.

The CNAC maintains effective relationships with clinic management staff and Advanced Practitioners to carry out the functions and activities necessary to foster care in the outpatient setting.

The CNAC supports and facilitates outreach that provides access to exemplary care that is fully integrated across the continuum.

He/she provides training and consultation to clinical and administrative staff regarding changes in Clinic operations and Ambulatory Care Practices.

CNAC utilizes performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness of current processes for providing primary care services that are patient-centered, team-based, accessible and timely, comprehensive, coordinated, and provide continuity of care.

He/she coaches for all performance measure across clinics on Best Ambulatory Care Practices in changes needed to meet the performance measures for wait times and missed opportunities.

The Chief Nurse promotes Education Programs for Nursing Staff and ensures Annual Competencies are conducted in all Nursing Units.

The individual creates a culture that emphasizes that Patient Education is a paramount element in Ambulatory Care Nursing practices.

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized