The Phoenix VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for three full time Nurse Practitioner (Surgery Acute Care) positions with Surgical Service located at the Phoenix Division. This vacancy will be filled with either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant. 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. Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. On and after [March 17, 2009], registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before [March 17, 2009], who obtain such qualifications on or after [March 17, 2009.] Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. [The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.] Preferred Experience: 1 year of experience as an acute care provider Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 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 Nurse Practitioner (NP) will execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care for Veterans receiving care through Surgical Services as a surgery acute care NP. The NP meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions and consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. The NP handles conflict and problems constructively and appropriately when dealing with customers and coworkers. The NP will work collaboratively with residents/fellows /physician staff. All medical documentation will be done in the Computer Patient Record System (CPRS). The NP plays a key role in management of patients seen in the SICU, surgical wards, ER, surgical clinics, operating room and other interventional areas. The NP uses sound judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating patient care; applies current evidence-based concepts and findings to clinical practice. S/he shares clinical expertise with professional and support personnel, accurately documents and reports, identifies/ analyzes/resolves patient care problems whose resolution results in the significant improvement of care to patients, and demonstrates such expertise in patient care so as to be recognized by others. This vacancy will be filled with either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant. Major duties include but not limited to: Management of adult and elderly veterans in the surgery clinic including, but not limited to, patients being evaluated for potential surgery and those being seen for post-operative follow-up. Assists in the operating room when appropriate. Provides day and night coverage of surgery and ICU inpatients as well as ED consults and outpatient clinic coverage, as needed. Select and interpret the results of diagnostic studies and laboratory studies commonly utilized in the general surgery setting. This includes, but is not limited to CT scan, ultrasound, MRI, PET scan, GI studies, and pathology reports. Maintains an updated understanding of surgical oncology treatment and follow up guidelines (such as National Cancer Care Network - NCCN) in order to provide evidence-based, timely care and follow up for cancer patients treated by the general surgery service. Ability to be self-directed in clinical practice and in the management of patients with surgical needs across the continuum of care. Collaborates with attending surgeon, residents and expert consultants and demonstrates clinical competence in delivering quality care for surgical patients with complex medical and surgical problems. Utilize various computer systems. Perform other duties as assigned. 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: Overnight Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.