U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) IV
Pay$144166.00 - $191730.00 / year
LocationNorth Chicago/Illinois
Employment typeFull-Time
This job is now closed
Job Description
- Req#: 751677300
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.
- 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.
- Have at least a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing with a Master Degree in Nursing or related health-care field; a Master of Science in Nursing via a Bridge Program (no BSN required); OR a Doctoral Degree in Nursing or related health-care field with a BSN and Master Degree in Nursing or a related health-care field.
- Have a minimum of four (4) years' experience in progressively responsible leadership assignments, with demonstrated supervisory/administrative competencies in directing change and effectively managing human resources. This may be demonstrated through experience as a Nurse Manager / Supervisor, Clinical Nurse Leader, or Assistant/Associate Chief Nurse (or equivalent) at a larger, more complex healthcare facility.
- Have written and spoken English language proficiency.
- Maintain current BLS certification.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with multiple service lines and disciplines.
- Proven ability to facilitate group problem solving, along with previous experience leading and/or facilitating performance improvement projects, teams, and groups.
- Demonstrated computer literacy and skill in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, VISO and Excel.
- Excellent organizational, communication, writing, and time management skills.
- Demonstrated ability in data tracking, management, analysis, and feedback of results.
- Proven ability to utilize sound judgment in making performance management and continuous readiness decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to accurately implement policies, regulations, standards of care and standards of practice; and
- Ability to work variable and flexible tours to meet program demands.
- Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience.
- Nurse V - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN (or a Bachelor's degree in a related field) and approximately 5-6 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree (preferred) in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience.
The Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) for Clinical Directorate of Medicine is assigned to the Office of the Chief Nurse Executive at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. FHCC is a VA and DoD dually integrated healthcare center providing care services to Veterans, Active-Duty Military Personnel, and their beneficiaries, including outpatient pediatric services.Duties
The ACN is an EXPERT nurse who "no longer relies on an analytical principle (rule, guideline, maxim) to connect her/his understanding of the situation to an appropriate action. The expert nurse, with her/his enormous background of experience, has an intuitive grasp of the situation and zeros in on the accurate region of the problem without wasteful consideration of a large range of unfruitful possible problem situations" (Benner).
The ACN for Clinical Directorate of Medicine will work effectively with other Associate Chief Nurses and Nurse Managers to ensure clinical oversight for nursing as well as providing essential support for planning and implementing appropriate resource utilization and distribution. The ACN will be available to support the ongoing nursing needs of patients and nursing staff across all services/service lines. The CAN provides executive leadership and direct supervision, to include but not limited to, the direct management team of the Specialty Care Clinics, Emergency Medicine department, and Home Base Primary Care (HBPC). The ACN is a direct liaison, consultant, and leader for all matters pertaining to outpatient medicine clinics and operations.
Major Duties and ResponsibilitiesRequirements
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Working Conditions: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the ability to perform job-related duties which require word processing, computer key board typing, computer screen viewing, working with data in Excel and Access, PowerPoint presentations, answering/placing telephone calls, filing, note taking and prolonged sitting up to 4-6 hours. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Occupational Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.About the company
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country.