Summary The Nurse IV Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission. Responsibilities The Chief, CCS, is a registered nurse (RN) who is accountable to the Chief of Staff (COS) and functions as a supervisor, administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management, adult learning and education theory in collaboration with other service lines, disciplines, and affiliates. The Chief, CCS, must establish and maintain productive relationships through the organization (local, Veterans Integrated Service Network [VISN], National) and relate effectively to the internal/external customers, their families, and the community. As an RN, he/she is also responsible for contributing to the establishment and implementation of evidenced-based nursing standard of practice and outcomes. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, s/he creates a positive work environment to enhance patient-centered care while balancing internal and external services and resources. This dynamic leader serves as a consultant to the Executive Leadership Team as well as other Service Chiefs and department managers throughout the Medical Center and is instrumental in coordinating care and identifying opportunities for VA services to reduce non-VA spending. This position provides executive leadership and direct supervision for Community Care Service and is the administrative coordinator for all aspects of Community Care, internal and external, including policies and practice, budgetary and administrative oversight of compliance with VHA Directives. This position provides oversight for the Service to include: Administrative Supervisors, Program Support Analyst, Budget Analysts, Contract Nursing Home Coordinator, State Veterans Home Liaison, Administrative Assistant, Administrative staff for review of eligibility, authorizations and scheduling etc., Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses for care coordination. The Chief, CCS, is a senior nursing leadership position directly aligned under the Chief of Staff. Assumes direct responsibility and authority for the administrative and clinical operations as well as personnel within Community Care Service. Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs within Community Care and coordinates areas that cross service and/or discipline lines, influences the organizational mission and facilitates care coordination with both internal and external providers and demonstrates nursing leadership, clinical expertise and responsibility for outcomes. Works directly under the COS and has oversight of all functions associated with traditional Community Care to include non-VA and purchased care, MISSION Act standards, Veterans Care Agreements, the Referral Coordination Initiative, as well as financial and regulatory controls for the purchased care line in the Wilkes-Barre VA catchment area. This includes administration of a complex collection of laws, policies, and processes involving VA providers, community network providers, Third- Party Administrators (TPA), and Veteran enrollees. He/ she provides administrative, clinical, and financial oversight to VA Purchased Services including scheduling, authorizations, TPA coordination, provider agreements, reconciliation of budget and paid claims, case management of patients referred to the community, and hospital notifications. Preferred Experience: direct experience in community care operations/ workflows, claims, request for services processing, cross- service collaboration; possesses regulatory and organizational knowledge Selective Placement Factor: VA leadership and supervisory experience in healthcare environment; experience in budget and financial management, experience coordinating programs which span internal and external provider networks, skill in interpreting VA and regulatory guidance Quality Ranking Factor: Demonstrated ability to gather, interpret and translate community care data into actionable recommendations for leadership, experience coordinating cross- functional initiatives with stakeholders; experience managing escalations such as congressional inquiries, OIG reviews Work Schedule: 08:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Moderate Risk Requirements Conditions of Employment NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. Physical Requirements: Standing (up to 2 hours), walking (up to 6 hours), stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning; repositioning patients, assisting with transfers; pushing or lifting in excess of 45 pounds; visual (corrected to 20/30 or better with color discrimination); auditory acuity; arms above shoulder level; neck in a fully flexed or extended position; work on computers for extended periods of time. Work is primarily conducted in a well-ventilated, adequately heated and cooled building. May be exposed to inclement weather when traveling around medical center. May be exposed to normal office irritants - dust, pollen, noise, vibrations, or odors. May be exposed to therapy animals with and without advanced notice. May be exposed to patients and family in emotional upheaval or extreme pain. Must have emotional stability to properly care for usual patient population. Qualifications 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 and Experience Requirement. Master's degree in nursing and four 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 and a bachelor level degree in nursing and four 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 Doctorate in Nursing and three 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 Doctorate degree in a related field and a master or bachelor level degree in nursing and three years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. Dimension Requirement. Nurses at Nurse IV must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for Nurse IV. 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. 13 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 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 Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Please Note: In accordance with Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) bulletin (dated 10/1/2019), Human Resources Management Letter NO. 05-19-12, although hybrid title 38 occupations follow title 5 Veterans' preference rules, as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v. VA, 117 M.S.P.R. 697 (2012)), 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during FY 2020 to hybrid title 38 occupations reported among the occupations with the largest staffing shortages. FY 2025 VHA Shortage Occupations Approved for Waiver of Veterans' Preference are as follows: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, 0647; Medical Instrument Technician, 0649; Medical Records Technician, 0675; Medical Supply Aide and Technician, 0622; Medical Support Assistant, 0679; Medical Technologist, 0644; Practical Nurse, 0620; Psychologist, 0180; Nursing Assistant 0621
