Assistant Nurse Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa City VA Medical Center is recruiting an Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) for the Surgery and Specialty Care Service. The ANM directs and supervises staff orientation, training, development, and individual performance evaluation. The role serves as a clinical nursing expert accountable for the nursing process and patient care delivery, and assists the Nurse Manager with administrative, clinical, and operational oversight of 24/7 unit operations, serving as acting manager in the Nurse Manager’s absence.

The position supports the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System of care, which empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connections to their communities. The role advances the Veterans Health Administration mission to provide exceptional health care that improves Veterans’ health and well-being.

The Assistant Nurse Manager collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders to provide patient-centered, culturally competent care; promote safety, quality, accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and improve clinical and operational outcomes through evidence-based practice, data, and quality improvement. The position supports innovative care delivery and operational processes, ensures compliance with applicable standards and policies, and aligns nursing operations with organizational goals. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be possible for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable education, nursing experience, and grade-dimension requirements for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation or examination.
• Meet onboarding and identification requirements and, if applicable, Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an Operating Room setting, including procedural nursing and nurse-monitored care.
• CNOR certification is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a clinical nursing expert accountable for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care delivery.
• Assist the Nurse Manager with administrative, clinical, and operational oversight of 24/7 unit operations and serve as acting manager in their absence.
• Supervise nursing staff and support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, training, competency assessment, professional development, and performance evaluation.
• Coordinate patient-centered care across the continuum, emphasizing patient education, self-management, patient safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to improve outcomes, remove barriers to care, and implement evidence-based practices and process improvement initiatives.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to nursing staff as a role model, educator, and clinical resource.
• Promote a work culture of accountability, quality, safety, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Support development and implementation of innovative care delivery models and operational processes that enhance efficiency, accessibility, affordability, and equitable patient care.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation requirements, regulatory standards, VA directives, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in strategic planning and align nursing and clinical operations with organizational goals, priorities, and performance measures.
• Build collaborative partnerships across the healthcare continuum and foster communication, trust, and engagement among staff, patients, families, and stakeholders.
• Use data, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement principles to drive positive clinical and operational outcomes.
• Promote culturally competent care and equip staff to meet the diverse needs of Veterans and their families.
• Maintain professional nursing knowledge and leadership expertise through continuing education and participation in professional organizations and development activities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• 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