Registered Nurse - Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services to provide executive leadership across nursing programs, driving high-quality care for Veterans.

The role partners with ADPCS on strategic planning, organizational assessment, and program development to enhance patient outcomes. The incumbent will ensure standards for nursing practice, oversee diverse nursing staff, and promote a culture of safety, evidence‑based care, and collaboration across

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Graduate of nursing program approved by accrediting agency (ACEN or CCNE).
• State license to practice nursing required; temporary appointments possible before licensure.
• Foreign nursing graduates must have active US licensure or be eligible for licensure.
• Reference VA Qualification Standards and licensure requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead nursing services as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Partner with ADPCS on strategic planning and program development.
• Maintain standards for nursing practice across the healthcare system.
• Oversee nursing personnel including RNs, APRNs, LPNs, and NAs.
• Promote evidence-based practice and a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Skills

Executive nursing leadership

Strategic planning

Change management

Communication skills

Data analytics

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN)

Master's degree in a related field with BSN

Doctoral degree in Nursing

Job description

Summary

The Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services serves as an advanced healthcare executive who demonstrates leadership - experience - and innovative approaches to ensure the continuous and timely delivery of high-quality nursing practice across a variety of complex patient care services and programs. The incumbent also serves as an executive administrator and consultant to the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS).

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
• The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse V: Scope: Practice of an executive nature - comprised of complex leadership and administrative components - associated with critical health care issues and activities that drive meeting the organizational mission - health care and policy
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 5 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V
• OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 5 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Dimension Requirements: Leadership
• Establishes the strategic direction for health care delivery - evidence-based practices - industry-leading research - and innovative care models
• Creates a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the organization or enterprise level
• Business Acumen
• Transforms health care through the application of new processes - technology - informatics - data analytics - business principles - systems thinking and resource management at the organization or enterprise level
• Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle
• Establishes an industry leading - shared decision-making lifestyle
• a workforce that serves Veterans - families - and caregivers of all backgrounds
• builds trust and lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the organization and enterprise level
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Drives the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional and organizational values - beliefs - and practices at the organizational or enterprise level
• Professional and Social Responsibility
• Sets the standard for a lifestyle of holistic care - health advocacy and health equity
• Applies ethical principles in decision‑making at the organization or enterprise level
• Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans - the community - and the health care industry
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This administrative nurse position must be able to sit or stand for several hours daily while interacting with patients - employees and providers via computer and/or phone
• A dedicated - ergonomic workspace is required to minimize strain - with proper desk height - wrist positioning - and monitor placement
• Proficiency with keyboard and mouse use is essential for efficient electronic medical record operation - requiring frequent hand dexterity for data entry and communication
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties - distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties - and the use of hearing aids is permitted.The incumbent must cope with complex - high‑pressure demands from a variety of sources
• The incumbent must be mature - flexible - and able to shift priorities as needed.

Duties

• The major duties of the Deputy Associate Director of Patient Care Services (DADPCS) include - but are not limited to: Serves as a healthcare executive and member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) - providing leadership on complex healthcare - administrative - and organizational issues that impact the facility's mission - healthcare delivery - and policy
• Acts as a spokesperson for nursing services and ensures the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines to achieve Veteran-centered organizational goals
• Partners with the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS) in strategic planning - organizational assessment - and program development
• Assists in establishing and maintaining standards for nursing practice across the healthcare system to ensure the continuous availability of high-quality nursing services
• Maintains responsibility and accountability for nursing practice on a 24/7 basis throughout the organization
• Provides oversight for all nursing personnel - including registered nurses (RNs) - advanced practice nurses (APRNs) - licensed practical nurses (LPNs) - nursing assistants (NAs) - and other allied health staff - regardless of reporting structure
• Exercises line authority over Associate Chief Nurses (ACNs) and performs additional duties as assigned by the ADPCS
• Delegates responsibilities and activities appropriately to services operating under the ADPCS purview
• Ensures processes are in place to evaluate staff competencies and support annual performance review activities
• Promotes shared decision‑making and fosters a healthy work environment for nursing staff
• Encourages the use of evidence‑based practice and supports a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement
• Supports an academic environment that advances nursing education - professional development - and research
• Champions High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles and promotes a culture of safety - prevention - and evidence‑based healthcare solutions
• Leads initiatives that improve patient outcomes - healthcare quality - and nursing excellence across the health care system
• The following experience is highly preferred: Executive nursing leadership experience - preferably within a VA Medical Center
• Progressive leadership experience (3+ years) with responsibility for managing large clinical services or programs
• Current Certified Nurse Leader certification
• 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: Full‑time Monday - Friday 07:30am - 04:00pm Telework:This position may be authorized for ad‑hoc telework as determined by agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized