Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 5 - 2026 or when vacant positions have been filled. The first group of eligible applicants will be reviewed May 21 - 2026. Subsequent reviews will be conducted periodically until these positions are filled. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

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 IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR Master's 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 III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Dimensions: Leadership
• Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices - industry-leading research - and innovative care models
• Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level
• Business Acumen
• Transforms health care by implementing new processes - technology - informatics - and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level
• Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle
• Employs an industry leading - shared decision-making lifestyle
• Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans - families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust - lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values - beliefs and practices at the program or services level
• Professional and Social Responsibility
• Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care - health advocacy and health equity
• Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level
• Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Leadership & Management Progressive leadership experience in ambulatory or primary care settings - including oversight of interdisciplinary teams and clinic operations
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change - drive process improvements - and support organizational initiatives aligned with VA mission - vision - and strategic priorities
• Experience applying evidence-based leadership practices to improve access - quality - and patient experience
• Clinical Expertise Strong clinical background in ambulatory care/primary care nursing with expertise in care coordination - chronic disease management - and population health
• Proven ability to apply the nursing process at a systems level - including assessment - planning - implementation - and evaluation of clinical programs
• Regulatory & Compliance Experience ensuring compliance with accreditation standards (e.g. - Joint Commission - OIG - VISN requirements) and VA directives
• Demonstrated ability to manage readiness activities - policy development - and program evaluation
• Operational & Administrative Skills Experience managing staffing models - workload analysis - clinic flow - and productivity metrics in primary care
• Skill in resource management - including recruitment - performance management - and staff development
• Strong understanding of VA systems - clinical documentation standards - and regulatory frameworks derived from VA Handbook 5005 and functional statement expectations for nurse leaders Collaboration & Communication Proven ability to engage collaboratively with providers - nurse managers - administrative partners - and service line leaders to solve problems and enhance team performance
• Strong communication skills with experience presenting to leadership - facilitating meetings - and leading multidisciplinary initiatives
• Quality - Safety & Performance Improvement Demonstrated experience leading quality improvement initiatives - root-cause analyses - action plans - and implementation of evidence-based practices
• Familiarity with VA performance measures - PACT principles - and systems-level improvement strategies
• Education & Professional Development Demonstrated commitment to staff development - competency programs - and fostering a culture of learning and accountability
• Physical Requirements: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.

Duties

• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: The Associate Chief Nurse functions as an advisor - administrator - educator - consultant - and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability
• 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
• Provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services
• Supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals
• Work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide
• Relates effectively with customers - families - and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels
• Assist the ADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them
• Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care - policies - and objectives for the enhancement of nursing
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members - including other program and service leaders at the facility and network
• Work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• 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: 0730-1600 requires 24/7 accountability and oversight Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be Authorized