The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Nurse I, Level III functions as an integral member of the primary care and occupational health services under Ambulatory Care Service and works in collaboration with the PACT teams and OH physician and staff, Labor Relations and Human Resource Specialists, Safety Engineers, Industrial Hygienists, Hospital Infection Control Staff, Interior Design, Occupational Therapy, Office of Workers' Compensation Staff and other health care professionals. 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. A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner 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 to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Current, full, and active board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); The 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. The required basic certification as a Nurse Practitioner must be identified in support of any position being established or filled as an APN (NP). An approved list of NP/APN certifications may be found on the Office of Nursing site at the Office of Nursing Services. Basic certification as a nurse practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it are subject to the provisions set forth in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, G6. Preferred Experience and Certifications: Prescriptive Privileges (Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Number with DEA Licensure): Current DEA number from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for Schedule II-V controlled substances with demonstration of meeting California State Board of Nursing requirements to prescribe controlled substances. Full and current national certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or another nationally recognized certifying body Current Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card by American Heart Association At least one (1) year professional RNP experience 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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 PACT Float/ Occupational health Nurse Practitioner VASNHCS, is responsible for coordination of and clinical participation in medical screening and surveillance and infection control related Occupational Health Programs, including the data management and reporting. This role also requires active participation in case management of employees injured on the job, in collaboration with the staff whose primary responsibility is workers' compensation case management. The APRN will also conduct annual physical exams on Police Services and others for whom it is mandated. The APRN is required to be an active member of occupational health and safety related committees. He/she provides leadership in coordinating day-to-day operations of Occupational Health and provides input into the strategic planning process in the attainment of organizational goals. The incumbent provides appropriate information regarding emergencies, unusual occurrences or issues that impact OH operations to the physician, Occupational Health Services. The APRN ensures compliance with all policies, procedures and protocols. He/she facilitates an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration and collegiality. He/she plays a key role in the ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of the quality and effectiveness of care and services as they affect employee outcomes. The incumbent provides guidance and direction to the performance improvement process in OH. Major Duties include but not limited to: The incumbent orders and furnishes medications according to written standardized procedures and acquires countersignature on prescriptions from the supervising physician for medications not included in the approved formulary. The APRN functions as an integral member of the occupational health and safety team and works in collaboration with the OH team (e.g. OH physician and staff, Labor Relations and Human Resource Specialists, Safety Engineers, Industrial Hygienists, Hospital Infection Control Staff, Interior Design, Occupational Therapy, Office of Workers' Compensation Staff) and other health care professionals in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the health and safety of VASNHCS employees. Performing pre-employment physical exams. Participation in annual and new hire tuberculosis screening programs. Annual and new-hire influenza vaccine program. Employee exposure management. Respiratory fit medical clearances. Injured employee exams. Blood-borne pathogens management. Motor vehicles/Driver's exams. Smoking cessation programs. Ergonomics program oversight. Laser safety. Boiler and police services annual exams. . VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Tour to be based off organizational needs; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. 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."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
