Assistant Nurse Manager- Med/ Surg

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Louis, MO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) is based at the John Cochran Division of the VA St. Louis Health Care System in St. Louis, Missouri. The ANM supports the Nurse Manager in overseeing operations of a nursing unit or patient care area, developing staff, ensuring compliance with clinical practice standards, and serving as a liaison between staff and leadership. The role combines clinical expertise with leadership responsibilities and may help prepare the incumbent for future Nurse Manager positions.

The ANM provides or oversees direct patient care and is accountable for the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care based on age-specific needs. The position coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care. The ANM exercises sound judgment, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, and leads process-improvement efforts.

The ANM assists the Nurse Manager rather than routinely carrying out the Nurse Manager’s full responsibilities independently. Examples include drafting schedules and leave requests for the Nurse Manager’s approval, providing input into employee performance evaluations, assisting with candidate-selection recommendations, overseeing work assignments, and reporting information to support the Nurse Manager’s decisions. This position is full-time, with six 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift per pay period. Tours may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays depending on unit needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program requirements and approval. The application must be submitted within four months of appointment. The program office determines eligibility, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years); former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education as specified in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the applicable education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• A full and unrestricted license from a U.S. State or territory.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and comply with Employee Health requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must meet applicable U.S. citizenship requirements; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use, background/security investigation, and completion of online onboarding and pre-employment identification requirements.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Must be able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities according to patient needs.
• Must comply with safe patient-handling and mobility protocols and may need to wear protective clothing when exposed to infected patients or contaminated materials.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of Med/Surg experience preferred.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the Nurse Manager with the operation of designated nursing units and provide coverage for other Assistant Nurse Managers as needed.
• Direct and oversee staff orientation, training, development, and evaluation of individual staff performance.
• Serve as a role model, educator, practitioner, and leader.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes, remove barriers, and implement evidence-based programs and processes.
• Engage in professional organizations to enhance leadership and career growth.
• Apply ethical principles in decision-making and foster accountability at personal, organizational, and staff levels.
• Equip staff to provide competent care and promote accountability for high-quality, cost-effective outcomes.
• Build alliances across the care continuum through active listening, engagement, and emotional intelligence.
• Contribute to the development of care delivery models and environmental design to support evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and equitable patient care.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards, directives, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Align nursing and clinical objectives with organizational strategic outcomes and participate in strategy planning and execution.
• Provide or oversee direct patient care and be accountable for the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of age-specific care.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Draft staff schedules and leave requests for the Nurse Manager’s final approval; provide input into employee performance evaluations and assist with candidate-selection recommendations.
• Oversee work assignments and provide contact reports or fact-finding assistance to inform the Nurse Manager’s recommendations regarding counseling or disciplinary action.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award amount of up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401K 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree