Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) - Surgical Service

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) for the Surgical Service to deliver advanced clinical care, consultation, and program management across multiple sections. The NP will emphasize timely, high-quality veteran care and work within interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes.

The role requires a post-master's certificate or master's/doctoral NP degree, current APN licensure, and basic certification in the NP specialty.

Qualifications

• Post-master's certificate, master's, or doctoral NP degree.
• Active, full, unrestricted NP license to practice in the US/DC.
• Board certification in surgical NP or equivalent is required/identified for APN (NP) role.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management in Surgical Service.
• Demonstrate leadership and collaboration to enhance patient care within a VA setting.

Skills

ENT specialty experience

Active NP licensure in the US

Education

Master's or Doctoral NP degree

ACEN/CCNE accredited NP program

Foreign education evaluated for equivalency

Tools

N/A

Job description

Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Surgical Service Nurse Practitioner

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Surgical Service Nurse Practitioner practices in multiple specialty sections of Surgical 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 - Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) - Surgical Service

Preferred Experience

Experience in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialty

All APNs (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);
• The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB);
• 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).

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

• 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 positively impact patient outcomes.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III

• Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations.
  • Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.