RN - Associate Chief Nurse - Primary Care

Full Job Description

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking a full-time Registered Nurse to serve as the Associate Chief Nurse within Primary Care, Nursing Service located in Marion, IL.

The Associate Chief Nurse for Primary Care provides executive leadership and operational oversight for Primary Care Clinics, all Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and the Connected Care program throughout the catchment area.

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.

Preferred Experience: At least two (2) years experience in leadership, at least four (4) years of progressive leadership, at least three (3) years experience in an outpatient setting, leadership certification, and shared governance committee experience.

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

Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling.

Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Major Duties:

This Associate Chief Nurse role carries substantial and continuous responsibility for shaping integrated, interdisciplinary programs that influence the organization's overall healthcare mission.

The incumbent assesses, plans, and evaluates outpatient clinical and administrative operations; ensures optimal allocation of human and material resources; manages staffing and overtime; and drives recruitment and retention strategies.

The incumbent provides direct supervision to Nurse Managers, ensures annual competency assessments for all nursing personnel, and leads performance improvement through ongoing review of key data sources such as EPRP, PACT Compass, PCMM, and SAIL.

The incumbent develops and refines policies and processes to meet medical center needs, ensures ongoing accreditation readiness, maintains professional practice documents, and exercises significant budgetary responsibilities.

As a senior nursing leader, the Chief Nurse collaborates with the Chief of Primary Care and interdisciplinary partners to design and implement programs that advance patient-centered care, promote high reliability principles, and support organizational goals.

The position reports to the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services and may assume executive coverage responsibilities as designated.

This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments as this is a 84/7 hospital and the incumbent is responsible for 24/7 operations of their service.

PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications. If selected, Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment.

Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and ACLS certification obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted.

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 through Friday, 8:00 a.m.

to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Ad hoc as needed to meet the needs of the department. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.