Chief Nurse - Acute Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Martinsburg (WV); On-site; USD 151,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO: 50 days per year

Federal benefits and retirement

Health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeks a Chief Nurse who will provide senior leadership over daily nursing operations and influence care across services. The role supports patient-centered goals and a culture of safety within a High Reliability Organization.

The Chief Nurse will collaborate with program leaders, supervise or review practice and performance, and contribute to standards of care and policy development in the nursing division.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership and accountability for population groups or integrated programs.
• Advising, administration, education, consultation and mentoring across nursing and service lines.
• Champion a High Reliability Organization with a systems approach to safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative nursing operations as directed by the ADPCS.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and maintain relationships across VA staff nationwide.
• Set standards of care, policies, and objectives to enhance nursing care; serve on the Nursing Executive Leadership Team.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Chief Nurse (CN), executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Nurse functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability. The Chief Nurse provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS).

The Chief Nurse supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals. They champion a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a culture of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness.

The Chief Nurse collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network. They work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide. The Chief Nurse relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels.

They assist the ADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them. The Chief Nurse contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing. The Chief Nurse is an integral member of Nursing Executive Leadership Team.

The Chief Nurse has direct line responsibility for their assigned area of nursing and is assigned as either the direct supervisor or as a reviewing official for practice and performance. In addition, the Chief Nurse may serve as a delegate for the ADPCS or the Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services (DADPCS). The Chief Nurse is responsible for all other duties as assigned.

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: Monday - Friday, Day Shift
• Telework: Ad-hoc only.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $150745 – $200487/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-29.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.