Nurse Practitioner - Compensation and Pension

Full Job Description

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: 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 don protective clothing.

S/he may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

S/he must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment.

Physical requirements may involve lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, and repeated bending.

S/he must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing on hire, as a condition of employment. Major Duties:

This is an internal job announcement. The Nurse Practitioner within Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center.

Preferred Experience: Desired not mandatory; Compensation and Pension Exam experience and/or training. Environmental Exposures exam experience and/or training.

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for the care of patients including: providing a history and physical examination, diagnosis, prescribing treatment modalities and ordering diagnostic test to determine the effectiveness of treatment modalities.

The NP collects and synthesizes patient data utilizing critical thinking skills to formulate a comprehensive plan of care.

He/she consults with a variety of services, coordinating care to meet patient needs. The NP is involved in interdisciplinary teams that focus on improving care processes.

Responsibility but not limited to: Working in a clinic setting (i.e., C&P Clinic, the Integrated Disability Examination System [IDES]), the C&P NP utilizes critical thinking in the application of advanced clinical health care knowledge and skills in conducting comprehensive physical examinations of Veterans and separating/retiring military service members and the rendering of a medical opinion(s).

Environmental registry examinations (i.e. Gulf War, Agent Orange) are also done, as needed.

The NP consults with peers and specialists and orders additional tests and procedures, as needed, to ensure a thorough evaluation is completed enabling the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to determine a timely disability rating(s) on each Veteran/service member evaluated.

Vesting examinations (level 3 physical) may also be required on those Veterans who will be reliant on the VA for routine or complex health care services.

The C&P NP utilizes current deployed C&P software and templates to document with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail the findings in support of VBA documentation requirements as well as in the Computerized Patient Record System.

The NP provides appropriate follow-up of any abnormal findings.

The NP's responsibility includes functioning with the scope of practice as outlined below and within the NPs nationally recognized certification, i.e., Adult, Family or Geriatric Nurse Practitioner certification.

The NP will adhere to all current directives of VHA, and meet current Joint Commission standards, and VA-OIG expectations.

The NP will intentionally create opportunities to leverage virtual care technology to support the mission of the facility and VA at large. The NP reports directly to the Chief of PC Department service.

It is the Chief of PC Department service, or designee, who has direct control over work assignments and leave approval.

Collaboration regarding clinical practice will be in consult with the Nurse Executive or designee. Prior to taking issues to the Nurse Executive, the immediate supervisor shall be consulted.

The NP is expected to work independently within their scope of practice, according to policies, training, and accepted VA practice.

Supervisory Control: The NP reports directly to the Chief of PC Department service.

It is the Chief of PC Department service, or designee, who has direct control over work assignments and leave approval.

Collaboration regarding clinical practice will be in consult with the Nurse Executive or designee.

Prior to taking issues to the Nurse Executive, the immediate 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: Compressed/Flexible: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm.

Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.