at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Decatur, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Summary ANNOUNCEMENT WAS UPDATED ON 7/17/2024 UNDER THE QUALIFICATION SECTION The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices in Primary Care Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing the Core functions that are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. The NP has prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by their position. Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. Responsibilities The NP is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: * Independently manages a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice. * Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management. * Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with Primary Care Team and other interdisciplinary team members. * Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. * Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. * Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services. * Provides education to patients and their families. * Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. * Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. * Influences and models the delivery of evidence-based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. * Independently practices as a NP, utilizing evidenced-based practice guidelines in the delivery of high-quality care. * Collaborates with patients, families, and the health care team to develop and implement treatment plans and evaluate health outcomes. * Demonstrates critical thinking in assessing and managing complex clinical situations. * Leads the delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, improving outcomes of panel/program. * Leads performance improvement initiatives that improves care or processes. * Engages in evidence-based practice and the application of clinical practice guidelines. * Implements quality improvement initiatives that lead to outcomes at the panel/program level. 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 – Friday 0745-1615 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified individuals EDRP Authorized: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements 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. 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician – Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405©(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets ba
