Nurse Manager - Primary Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Terre Haute (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Primary Care Head Nurse responsible for all elements of the nursing process in direct patient care, planning, implementing, and evaluating care.

The role emphasizes patient education, self-management, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to achieve high-quality outcomes. Responsibilities include coordinating care, supervising staff, and advancing evidence-based practices within an outpatient primary care setting.

Qualifications

• Current RN license in the United States (or territory).
• Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing with eligibility for licensure.
• BSN or higher preferred; Doctoral degrees considered where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise nursing care across the Primary Care setting.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team to ensure patient education and self-management.
• Lead and evaluate staff performance; promote evidence-based practices.

Skills

Leadership

Team Collaboration

Nursing Knowledge

Patient Education

Communication

Quality Improvement

Education

RN License

BSN or higher

Job description

Summary

The Primary Care (Head Nurse) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Influences care outcomes through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

The Primary Care (Head Nurse) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Influences care outcomes through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

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/13054972
• 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 and no additional 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 a 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: 2 years of leadership - primary care and outpatient experience Physical Requirements: This position involves considerable amount of standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires restraining confused clients - repositioning patients - assisting with transfers from wheelchairs/stretchers and transporting them to other departments or facilities
• Mechanical devices are available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift clients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care
• The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients
• The position also requires ability to work on computers for extended periods of time.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Nurse Manager (NM) is the designated first-line supervisory authority and is responsible and accountable for the operation of their assigned units and provides coverage for other NMs as needed
• Responsible and accountable for the direction and supervision of specific orientation - training - development of staff - and evaluation of individual staff performance
• Functions as a role model - educator - practitioner - and supervisor providing leadership to the team
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team to remove barriers and implement new evidence-based cutting-edge programs/processes
• The NM 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 of accountability for high-quality - cost-effective outcomes
• Promotes alliances across the care continuum
• building trust through active listening - engagement - and emotional intelligence
• The NM 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 and clinical objectives with organizational strategic outcomes - participating in strategy planning and execution
• Promotes a workplace positively to achieve the organization's vision and mission
• The NM maintains knowledge and ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards - directives - policies - and standard operating procedures (SOP)
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team
• Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility
• 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: Full Time - 7:00am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Yes as determined by agency Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized