Registered Nurse - Educator (Ambulatory Care)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse Educator for Ambulatory Care.

This role focuses on leadership, education program development, and staff development with a staffing emphasis. The RN Educator mentors nursing staff and collaborates across teams to ensure high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship required or per VA policy
• English language proficiency required
• Licensed registered nurse with current, full, active, and unrestricted license
• BSN or higher nursing degree from an accredited program (ACEN/CCNE)
• Foreign education requires degree equivalency validation where applicable
• State licensure must be current for permanent appointment

Responsibilities

• Reports to the Chief Nurse of Ambulatory Care and mentors staff
• Collaborates with Nursing Management and interprofessional teams
• Maintains NC Board of Nursing standards and ANA Scope of Practice
• Develops and delivers Patient Care Service staff education programs
• Orientation for new employees and evaluation of onboarding progress
• Leads workshops and education programs for career advancement and change implementation
• Allocates time 70/30 between staffing and education to meet clinical needs

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Educational program development

Communication skills

Education

BSN or higher

Nursing degree accreditation ACEN/CCNE

Job description

Summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System - Greenville is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurse Educator to serve in Ambulatory Care. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit 80% of their time will be in staffing. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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/13100859
• 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 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
• Preferred Level of Education: MSN or BSN with Master's Degree in a Health-Related Field Doctoral Degree n Nursing or related field and approximately 2-3 years experience Preferred Certification(s) ANCC in Nursing Professional Development BLS/ACLS Instructor Full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III
• The actual grade applicant may be selected to is Nurse I - Nurse III
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods continued walking - standing - sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands & legs & repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening/testing - as condition of employment.

Duties

• The RN Educator directly reports to the Chief Nurse of Ambulatory Care - serving as a resource to staff - and serves as a mentor or preceptor to new nurses - nursing students - and other staff
• Works collaboratively with Nursing Management teams - affiliated programs - and interprofessional staff regarding patient care needs and staff development issues
• Will actively maintain the standards required by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) and according to the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional Development
• Will demonstrate excellent clinical practice and skills - problem-solving skills - and decision-making skills
• Responsible and accountable for the development and delivery of Patient Care Service staff development and education programs
• Responsible for the orientation of new employees - evaluation of their progress in the orientation process - and for developing and implementing teaching strategies for the various staff needs
• Unit-based Educator will assume responsibility for the initiation and completion of annual staff competencies for staff assigned to Greenville HCC - Cherry Point - and Morehead City
• The incumbent will actively participate in and lead workshops/continuing education programs designed for career advancement - as well as function in classroom teaching environments - clinical arenas - and as a group facilitator during training and implementation of changes in nursing practice and procedure
• The incumbent employs and engages a broad range of in-depth knowledge and skills in education theory and application - career development - leadership - and program management
• Duties include but not are not limited to: Proficient in addressing dynamic issues such as globalization - practice environments - evidence-based practice - and nursing and healthcare technologies
• Collaborate with the Education Department and share leadership in VALOR and nursing student programs
• Will divide time in both staffing and education (70/30) to ensure clinical needs are met and that staff are competent in areas where they work
• Preferred Experience: Minimum (5) years successful nursing practice - including 3+ recent years in Ambulatory Care Prior teaching experience including curriculum development
• Documented excellence and experience in program development - implementation - and evaluation
• Documented evidence of successful professional nursing practice in progressively complex positions/levels
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills (written and oral communication) and collaboration with other disciplines
• Evidence of effective teamwork with demonstrable outcomes and prior VA experience
• Documented leadership in committees - councils - or programs at service or organizational level
• Documented evidence of leadership and involvement in professional nursing organizations related to staff development and/or continuing education
• Preferred Certifications: ANCC Certification in Nursing Professional Development BLS/ACLS Instructor Certification in Ambulatory Care Nursing - ANCC A current - valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position
• NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore
• please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package
• If an interview is requested - you will be required to provide a copy of your current - valid state-issued Driver's License
• 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 - 8 hour tours - between the hours of 7am-6pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized