Clinical Nurse Specialist - Critical Care

Full Job Description

The Advanced Practice Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) practices in Critical Care, within the Nursing Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission.

The CNS provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The CNS practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification.

Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) Basic Requirements Education.

A post-master's certificate or masters or doctoral degree as a clinical nurse specialist.

(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 CNS degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Candidates with equivalent CNS post-masters, 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.

Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. License.

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

Certification. All APN (CNSs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty.

Certification must be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), or another nationally recognized certifying body.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (CNS) 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 (Clinical Nurse Specialist) 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 Clinical Nurse Specialist on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(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 (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (CNSs); no experience is required.

Dimension Requirement: APN (CNSs) at grade 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 (Clinical Nurse Specialist) 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 (CNS) AND One year of specialized APN (CNS) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement.

APN (CNSs) 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. Preferred Experience: 1.

Three or more years of recent and relevant clinical experience in Critical Care with educator experience. 2. CCRN certification 3. Strong leadership 4.

Advanced knowledge of methodology for conducting evidence-based research, data collection, analysis, and reporting 5.

Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide education, training, and direction to nursing staff, and to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees and outside agencies Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental stability; Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).

Major Duties:

The CNS APRN Critical Care assumes the following major functions/duties expected of the role: 1.

Collaborates with Associate Nurse Executive (ANE) Nursing Education & Research (NEaR), Nurse Manager NEaR, ANE Inpatient Units, Nurse Manager (NM) and Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) of Critical Care Units (ICU & PCU) to provide: a.

clinical leadership for Critical Care nursing staff b. development of a strategic educational plan c.

develop, coordinate, facilitate and evaluate unit-based nursing service orientation, clinical competencies and required educational directives for the Critical Care units d.

maintains competency folders with quarterly reviews 2. Facilitates, coordinates, and leads development and completion of initial competencies for Critical Care Unit nursing service staff. 3.

Facilitates, coordinates, and leads development and completion of ongoing competencies for the Critical Care Unit nursing staff and nursing service as needed. 4.

Develops, coordinates, and provides Critical Care Unit education programs and activities and hospital wide critical care educational programs and activities as appropriate. 5.

Develops nursing critical care standards of practice and serves as the critical care nursing consultant on critical care clinical practice. 6.

Serves as the nursing consultant regarding critical care nursing policy and procedure development. 7.

Serves as the facility coordinator for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) critical care online courses/education program Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO). 8.

Serves as the coordinator for all research in the Critical Care units; mentors Critical Care staff in evidence-based practice projects. 9.

Provide leadership and facilitate evidence-based practice to VASDHS employees. 10.Mentors Critical Care Unit nursing staff and VASDHS staff to develop leadership and preceptor skills.

11.Disseminates accreditation standards and ensures staff compliance with The Joint Commission and other regulatory agency requirements.

12.Use advance clinical knowledge/judgement to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making and evaluation outcomes.

13.Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities.

14.Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational process within area of expertise.

15.Collaborates and participates with Critical Care nursing staff and VASDHS staff in the selection and process of performance measure improvement.

16.Provides direct and indirect care for patients in the Critical Care Units.

17.Documents all direct patient care provided using the electronic health record (EHR), according to unit and facility policies and procedures.

18.Serves as a member of the VASDHS Critical Care Multidisciplinary Committee, Code Blue Committee, Rapid Response Committee, Clinical Nurse Specialist group, and Nursing Clinical Practice Committee.

May serve as chair or co-chair as appropriate. 19.Serves on Nursing Service and organization-wide committees as appropriate to facilitate continuity of care.

May serve as chair or co-chair as appropriate.

20.Responsible for the oversight and management of all emergency equipment, including defibrillators, automated external defibrillators, code carts and contents for the Critical Care units and training of the Code Blue response teams and Critical Care unit nursing staff.

21.Collaborates with the other CNS's and Code Blue Committee for oversight and management of facility wide code blue equipment and supplies.

22.Maintains mandatory and clinical competencies for the position including certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) from American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or from a VA-approved certifying body.

23.Coordinates with CNS group to provide orientation and cross-coverage for all inpatient and outpatient care units. 24.

Performs other duties as assigned 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 to Friday 0630-1500 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized