The Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) for Acute Care is responsible for improving and delivering patient care through collaborative strategies with the Associate Director Patient Care Services, Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services, Chief Nurses, Service Chiefs, and others at the Robley Rex VA Healthcare System, Louisville, Kentucky. 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: 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 the appropriate State-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). 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. Preferred Experience: MSN/DNP preferred, 5+ years of acute nursing leadership Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Chief Nurse Acute Care is the clinical and administrative coordinator for all aspects of Acute Care Nursing Service including policies and practice, budgetary, and administrative oversight of compliance with VHA Directives. The Chief Nurse Acute Care 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, influence organizational mission and health care. The Nurse IV is responsible for administrative functions of their assigned nursing units/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Service and other services. Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Key relationships with staff are needed to (I) Assist nurse mangers, Assistant Chiefs, and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them. (2) Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide, (3) Assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs, and (4) Collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. (VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6). Chief Nurse of Acute Care is responsible for providing executive leadership and direct supervision to the Nurse Managers. Assumes direct administrative responsibility and authority for the clinical operations and nursing personnel in Acute Care inpatient units. Assesses, plans, and evaluates the processes and daily operations of the medical units to ensure optimized nursing practices and patient care outcomes. Responsible for assessing and recommending the allocation of human and material resources, in determining staffing levels using NHPPD, managing overtime, and plays a significant role in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff. Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel. Promote accountability and responsibility of Acute Care nursing service members. Provide timely service recovery to promote outstanding customer service to our customers while supporting VA missions. Review IPEC, Performance Measures, Patient Safety Indicators, and other data for trends and early intervention; formulate follow-up plans with Nurse Executive Team, Nurse Managers, Assistant Nurse Managers, the service and the medical center. Reports directly to the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services (Memphis) and covers in his/her absence as designated. The recruitment and retention of nursing staff. Ensures competency assessment is completed on each nursing employee annually. Reviews ORYX, HEDIS, and other data for trends and early intervention; formulates follow-up plans with Nurse Executive Team, Nurse Managers, the service, and the medical center. Manages equipment and various data reports. Tracks and trends data for nursing service. 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 - Friday 7:30a - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay Schedule: NF48"]

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