Registered Nurse-Staff Development Specialist-Nurse Educator

Full Job Description

This position is located at Lebanon VA Medical Center within Education and Learning Resources Services unit. 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.

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade.

The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12929673.

Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.

An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.

Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.

Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.

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

Preferred Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive full-time clinical nursing experience, with demonstrated excellence in direct patient care and advanced clinical decision-making.

At least 2 years of experience in professional or staff development, including facilitation of continuing education, competency training, and clinical onboarding programs.

Advanced academic preparation, preferably a Doctorate in Nursing or a related discipline; a Master's degree in Nursing.

Certification as a Nurse Educator (CNE) or eligibility and willingness to obtain CNE within a specified timeframe.

Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design, instructional methodology, and program evaluation, with experience contributing to accreditation processes.

Proven ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based education, integrating current nursing theory, regulatory standards, and emerging clinical practices.

Experience teaching in online, blended, and technology-enhanced learning environments, including proficiency with learning management systems and educational software.

Familiarity with clinical simulation, including scenario development, debriefing methodology, and operation of simulation technology.

Strong background in a specialized nursing area (e.g., critical care, geriatrics, mental health, pediatrics), with the ability to translate specialty knowledge into effective educational strategies.

Demonstrated leadership capability in clinical or academic settings, including mentorship, preceptorship oversight, and participation in shared governance or committee work.

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and collaborate across interprofessional teams.

Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license and commitment to ongoing professional growth, lifelong learning, and advancement of nursing education.

Comprehensive understanding of current healthcare policies, regulatory requirements, professional standards, and best practices influencing nursing education and clinical practice environments.

Major Duties:

The Staff Development Specialist/Nurse Educator is responsible for providing expert, evidence-based education to staff.

Provides educational instruction and training for nursing staff in clinical and outpatient units.

The Staff Development Specialist/Nurse Educator understands instructional design, implementation, and application related to education and training.

Performs learning needs assessments, develops educational trainings for medical center and its VA Community Clinic (VACCs) staff. Assists with the orientation of new employees.

The incumbent is responsible for assessing, planning, developing, implementing, facilitating, evaluating and revising educational programs/activities based on the assessed learning needs of clinical and non-clinical staff as indicated or requested.

He/she has a responsibility and the accountability for supporting clinical and classroom instruction across the Medical Center.

The incumbent serves as a key resource in the orientation and continuing education of medical center personnel.

Serves as an educational resource to staff and to the facility and serves as a mentor or preceptor to new nurses, student nurses, and other staff.

Facilitates/promotes education and serves as an educational clinical consultant.

He/she demonstrates leadership through developing and coordinating programs to improve quality of care and organizational processes.

Position may entail other duties as assigned and travel to Veterans Affairs Community Clinics (VACC)s.

Works collaboratively with affiliated Schools of Nursing and staff regarding patient care needs and staff development issues.

Actively maintain the standards according to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional Development.

Demonstrate excellent clinical practice and skills, problem-solving skills, and decision- making skills. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to apply principles of evidence-based practice.

Provides support at the unit level, the service level, and the organizational level.

Responsible and accountable for the development and delivery of Patient Care Services (PCS) staff development and education programs.

Responsible for the orientation of new nursing employees, evaluation of their progress in the orientation process, and for developing and implementing a learning plan for improving identified deficiencies.

Works collaboratively with PCS and medical center services and its affiliating VACCs in the development and implementation of educational programs and initiatives.

The incumbent will actively participate in workshop/continuing education programs designed for career advancement as well as function in classroom teaching environments, clinical arenas, and as a group facilitator during training and implementation of changes in nursing related computer applications.

Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level.

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: 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Available on an Ad-hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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