Summary The Pre-op Nurse Practitioner Anesthesia is responsible for the comprehensive medical evaluation and optimization of Veterans scheduled for elective and urgent surgical procedures. This role involves high-level clinical decision-making to reduce surgical cancellations, improve patient outcomes, and ensure compliance with VHA national anesthesia standards and Buffalo VA local policies. Responsibilities Key Responsibilities & Clinical Duties 1. Pre-Anesthesia Risk Assessment Conduct comprehensive history and physical examinations (H&Ps) focusing on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic stability. Assign ASA Physical Status Classifications and determine the necessity of further specialty clearances (e.g., Cardiology, Pulmonology). Review and interpret diagnostic tests including EKGs, chest X-rays, and laboratory results. Clinical Reporting: Document all findings in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) using standardized Pre-Op templates to ensure data is available for the Anesthesia attending on the day of surgery. 2. Patient Optimization & Education Manage perioperative medication protocols (e.g., anticoagulation bridging, diabetic medication adjustment). Educate Veterans and families on surgical expectations, NPO (fasting) requirements, and post-operative pain management strategies. Identify high-risk "frailty" factors and coordinate with social work or nutrition services as needed. 3. Administrative & Collaborative Leadership Serve as the primary liaison between Surgery, Anesthesia, and Primary Care to close the loop on medical optimization. Assist in managing the "Pre-Op Tracker" to ensure all clinical requirements are met 24-48 hours prior to the procedure. Support the Thursday Morning Anesthesia Team Meeting by identifying systemic bottlenecks in the pre-op workflow. 4. Technical Skills & Systems Proficiency CPRS/VistA: Advanced proficiency in navigating patient records, entering orders, and managing clinical alerts. DSS (Decision Support System): Understanding of how pre-op encounters map to clinical workload and productivity reporting. Microsoft Excel: Ability to utilize departmental tracking tools for surgical volume and optimization metrics. 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: Full-time, 8:00 AM to 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Qualifications 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 and Certification: 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 Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty 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. Physical Requirements: As detailed in VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education Additional Information Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
