Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner)

Veterans Health Administration; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration's Advanced Practice Nurse II Certified Nurse Practitioner serves in Surgery Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the VA mission.

The NP delivers advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management, performs pre- and post-operative assessments, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, and interprets cardiac tests to guide treatment.

Qualifications

• Must have NP degree (MSN/DNP or post-master’s) and be licensed.
• Accredited NP program by ACEN or CCNE.
• Foreign education evaluated for equivalency.
• Active NP license to practice in U.S. states/DC.
• Board certification in FNP/ANP/AGPCNP/GNP from ANCC/AANPCB.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre- and post-operative assessments.
• Manage outpatient patient care and education.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality care.
• Interpret cardiac tests and manage cardiac medications.

Skills

Cardiothoracic knowledge

Clinical leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Cardiac test interpretation

Education

Master's degree in Nursing

Doctoral degree in Nursing

Post-master's certificate

Job description

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) II Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices in Surgery Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The NP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management.

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements 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 - 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 Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) 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.

Preferred Experience:

Seeking an experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specializing in Cardiothoracic Surgery, such as:

• Performing pre- and post-operative patient assessments .
• Managing patient care in outpatient settings, patient education.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality patient care.

The role requires strong clinical knowledge, expertise in cardiovascular diseases, and excellent communication skills. Experience in interpreting cardiac tests and managing cardiac medications is essential.

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(c)(2)(B).

Scope:

Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

Education and Experience Requirement:

Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.

Dimension Requirement:

APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:

• Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
• Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.
• Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care.
• Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice.
• Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork.
• Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positivel