RN - Assistant Chief Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Palo Alto, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Chief Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. The role applies nursing principles and theory with limited use of critical-thinking skills while establishing and maintaining effective relationships with medical center personnel at all levels. The Assistant Chief Nurse also relates effectively with customers, families, the community, and program and service leaders at local and network levels.

This role demonstrates leadership at the service and/or hospital level and supports patient- and family-centered care. It contributes to resource planning and budgeting, quality management, education, Lean projects, and risk management activities, while encouraging veterans and families to take an active role in care delivery.

The position is not virtual or available for telework. The work schedule is listed as 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., varying. Physical requirements include visual acuity, hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and potentially extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Patient or object transfers may be required. The role may involve exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, protective clothing requirements, and occasionally combative patients. Annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, must be completed.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately approved and accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated bridge-program or foreign-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply as described in the posting.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned nurse grade and level. Requirements vary by grade and may include an ADN, BSN, MSN, or doctoral degree and specified professional or specialized nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Complete required pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and physical evaluation; comply with seasonal influenza vaccination requirements and annual Employee Health requirements.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements where applicable.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements and work effectively in stressful situations, adjust priorities based on patient needs, and function as a mature, flexible, and sensible individual.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership at the service and/or hospital level.
• Assist with aggregate data and participate in the budget process to plan for current, emerging, and future resources.
• Support and role-model patient- and family-centered care concepts in patient care services.
• Promote the Quality Management Program through education and interdisciplinary staff engagement.
• Take a leadership role in developing Lean projects and risk management activities.
• Promote veteran and family education about care issues and seek their active involvement in care delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree