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Posted: February 23, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Registered Nurse - Chief Nurse Perioperative

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$150,745 - $200,487

per year

Closes

March 4, 2026More VA jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading nursing teams in perioperative care at a Veterans Affairs hospital, focusing on patient safety, collaboration across departments, and improving healthcare processes to prevent errors.

It suits experienced nurses who enjoy managing programs, promoting a culture of reliability, and driving organizational goals in a veteran-focused setting.

Ideal candidates are senior-level professionals with strong leadership skills and a commitment to evidence-based practices.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN, or Doctoral degree in nursing or related field
  • At least 4 years of professional nursing experience, including 1 year at a specialized Nurse III level (or 3 years with a doctorate)
  • Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
  • Proficiency in basic written and spoken English
  • Demonstrated leadership in executing responsibility for population groups or integrated programs across services
  • Experience in perioperative nursing and promoting High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles
  • Graduation from an approved school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE (or equivalent for foreign education)

Full Job Description

The Chief Nurse supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals.

They champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a culture of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness.

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: As detailed in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Major Duties:

The Chief Nurse collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network.

They work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide.

The Chief Nurse relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels.

They assist the AD PCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them.

The Chief Nurse contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing.

The Chief Nurse is an integral member of Nursing Executive Leadership Team.

The Chief Nurse has direct line responsibility for their assigned area of nursing and is assigned as either the direct supervisor or as a reviewing official for practice and performance.

In addition, the incumbent will have oversight for the nursing FTEE's. The Chief Nurse may serve as a delegate for the ADPCS or the Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services (DADPCS}.

The Chief Nurse is responsible for all 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 thru Friday, Day Shift Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/24/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBTF-12892445-26-LRG