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