Assistant Nurse Manager- Sterile Processing

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States seeks a Non-Supervisory Assistant Nurse Manager to support the Nurse Manager in overseeing a nursing unit. This role blends clinical expertise with leadership, forming part of a succession plan for future NM roles.

The position emphasizes nursing process accountability, staff supervision, and collaboration across the care team. It offers opportunities for professional growth within VA's Nurse Total Rewards package.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved nursing program with active U.S. license.
• English proficiency required for direct patient care per VA standards.
• Current full, active, and unrestricted nursing license in a U.S. state/territory.
• Foreign-trained nurses may need degree equivalency validation (ICD) per VA rules.
• Graduate Nurse Technician exception allows a temporary appointment while pursing licensure.

Responsibilities

• Draft schedules and leave for final approval by the Nurse Manager.
• Provide input into performance evaluations completed by the NM.
• Lead staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes.
• Oversee work assignments and provide information for counseling or disciplinary actions.
• Engage with professional organizations to enhance leadership and career growth.
• Promote evidence-based practice and compliance with standards and regulatory requirements.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Nursing Leadership

Clinical Nursing Knowledge

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's in Nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Job description

Summary

The Non-Supervisory Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) supports the Nurse Manager (NM) in overseeing operations of a nursing unit/patient care area. This role combines clinical competence with leadership responsibilities and is often considered part of the succession plan for future NM positions - providing opportunities to perform management skills and prepare for higher-level leadership. clinical competence and is responsible and accountable for the nursing process when overseeing patient care.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - 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 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)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• 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
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099645
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Operating Room Experience is preferred Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.

Duties

• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: Drafting schedules and leave for final approval by the NM Providing input into the performance of employees with the final evaluation completed by the NM Assisting with making recommendations for selection of candidates for employment Applying clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluating outcomes
• providing feedback to the NM who ultimately ensures nursing personnel provide timely nursing care that complies with generally accepted standards of practice Overseeing work assignments and providing reports of contact or assisting with fact findings as needed to provide the NM with the information necessary to make recommendations for counseling and/or disciplinary actions The Non-Supervisory ANM engages in professional organizations to enhance leadership and career growth
• Adheres to ethical principles in decision-making - fostering accountability at personal - organizational - and staff levels
• Equips staff with tools for competent care and promotes an environment accountability for high-quality - cost-effective outcomes
• Promotes alliances across the care continuum - building trust through active listening - engagement - and emotional intelligence
• The Non-Supervisory ANM contributes to the development of care delivery models and environmental design - ensuring evidence-based - accessible - affordable - and equitable patient care
• Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards
• Aligns nursing/clinical objectives with organizational strategic outcomes - participating in strategy planning and execution
• Promotes a workplace positively to achieve the organization's vision and mission
• Develops knowledge and ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards - directives - policies - and standard operating procedures (SOP) 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: 3:30 to Midnight including Holidays and Occasional weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized