Nurse IV (Chief of Wellness, Education & Veteran Services)

Full Job Description

The Nurse IV Chief of Wellness, Education & Veteran Services executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission.

Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Service (PCS) and other facility services.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers. Environmental Factors: Working closely with others. Major Duties:

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The Nurse IV Chief of Wellness, Education, & Veteran Services is responsible for directing, coordinating, and communicating actions to improve the healthcare experience for Veteran patients and their families.

Combine strategic program development with clinical education leadership, emphasizing Veteran-centered care, organizational improvement, and nursing excellence.

Core Responsibilities Program Management & Strategic Development: Oversee the implementation of Patient-Centered Care (PCC), Cultural Transformation (CT), and Customer Service (CS) initiatives aligned with VHA goals.

Promote excellence in healthcare delivery through customer service initiatives emphasizing family involvement, compassion, collaboration, and coordinated care.

Develop and pilot community engagement, Whole Health initiatives, and Veteran education programs. Create evaluation toolkits, resources, and presentations to showcase strategic goals at all levels.

Review patient satisfaction data, analyze performance, and recommend process improvements.

Collaborate with VA SORCC and VISN 20 leadership to set strategic direction, secure funding, and evaluate program effectiveness.

Advise staff on policies, procedures, and directives related to CS and PCC. Serve as a liaison for program development, implementation, and evaluation across services.

Conduct system analyses, develop procedural guidelines, and recommend operational improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness and patient satisfaction.

Supervisory & Leadership Responsibilities: Supervise staff involved in: Veteran Experience Program (e.g., Information Receptionist, Patient Representatives) Voluntary/Community Resources Program (e.g., Voluntary Service Specialists and Assistants) Whole Health Program (e.g., Health System Specialist, Whole Health Coach) Oversee staffing, performance evaluations, training, and development.

Plan work, evaluate performance, and enforce nondiscriminatory employment practices. Foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Educational Leadership & Clinical Program Oversight: Supervise the Deputy Chief of Organizational Development and program managers for Women Veterans Program and Employee Occupational Health.

Serve as Chief of Wellness, Education, & Veteran Services (WEVS), providing senior leadership and oversight of clinical and administrative education programs to include Organizational Development.

These programs include Nursing Education, Diabetes Education, Academic Affiliations, Competency Programs, Coach Mentoring, and Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI).

Lead New Employee Orientation, Supervisor Training, and the LEAD Program.

Organizational Health: Collaborate with Deputy Chief of Organizational Health to facilitate the following: Assess educational needs, design and evaluate staff and patient education activities, and oversee Library Services via the Learning Resource Center (LRC).

Act as or delegate the roles of the Designated Learning Officer (DLO) and Education Officer (DEO), ensuring compliance with VA, VHA, and accrediting standards.

Manage education program funding, scholarship programs, and partnerships with academic institutions.

Coordinate training activities for staff and trainees, including VA STEP and Graduate Medical Education programs.

Support the integration of nursing and other professional disciplines, fostering a High Reliability Organization (HRO)culture of safety and evidence-based practice.

Lead research, evidence-based practice initiatives, and quality improvement efforts to influence organizational and clinical outcomes.

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and program leaders at facility and VISN levels to establish standards of care, policies, and organizational objectives.

Program Scope & Effect Lead programs that enhance Veteran-centered care, organizational efficiency, and clinical excellence.

Conduct analyses, develop recommendations, and influence policies impacting patient care and staff development.

Oversee research, evidence-based practices, and quality improvement initiatives to advance the healthcare mission.

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; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.