Associate Director for Patient Care Service (ADPCS)

Veterans Health Administration • Richmond, VA

19d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director for Patient Care Service (ADPCS) is an advanced healthcare executive responsible for guiding and directing complex patient care services and programs. The role functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant with broad experience and authority. As the top nursing executive and a member of the organization’s senior executive leadership team, the ADPCS participates in strategic planning, organizational assessment, and program development and provides visionary leadership on issues affecting the facility. The ADPCS is an equal partner on the VISN Executive Leadership Board and is expected to participate in medical center-level councils and committees that govern and influence medical center operations. The role also promotes the image of nursing and the VA through effective media relations.

The ADPCS has final authority over nursing job descriptions, nursing care policies and procedures, standards of patient care, treatment and services, nursing practice standards, nurse staffing plans, and measures used to assess and improve patient outcomes. The incumbent ensures that nursing staff hold required licenses, certifications, or registrations and that processes are in place to evaluate competency and annual performance. As chief spokesperson for organized nursing services, the ADPCS fosters collaboration between nursing and other disciplines and functional areas to achieve patient-centered and organizational goals. The role champions a high-reliability, safety-focused organization that uses a systems approach, evidence-based solutions, prevention, and collective mindfulness.

The role also addresses regulations and payment issues affecting the facility budget, adjusts clinical operations in response to economic and environmental changes, and develops marketing strategies with the Executive Leadership Team and marketing experts. The duty station is on the Richmond Campus of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. The position has a scheduled workday of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; situational (ad hoc) telework is available, but the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are authorized for eligible candidates.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the stated exceptions for bridge-program candidates and foreign-educated nurses.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• For Nurse V qualification: a master's degree in Nursing and five years of professional nursing experience, including one year of specialized experience equivalent to Nurse IV; or a master's degree in a related field with a BSN and the same experience; or a doctoral degree in Nursing and four years of professional nursing experience, including one year of specialized experience equivalent to Nurse IV; or a doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and the same experience.
• Meet Nurse V dimension requirements in leadership, business acumen, inspiring an industry-leading lifestyle, communication and relationship management, and professional and social responsibility.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Complete applicable pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, online onboarding, and physical evaluation; participate in seasonal influenza vaccination and annual Employee Health requirements.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959, and any probationary-period requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Executive leadership experience.
• Leadership experience in a 1A VHA Medical Center.
• Five or more years of progressive leadership with responsibility for management of complex services.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and direction for complex patient care services and programs.
• Participate in strategic planning, organizational assessment, and program development as a member of the senior executive leadership team.
• Serve as an equal partner on the VISN Executive Leadership Board and participate in medical center-level councils and committees.
• Promote the image of nursing and the VA through effective media relations.
• Understand regulations and payment issues affecting the facility budget and adjust clinical operations in response to economic and environmental changes.
• Develop marketing strategies in collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team and marketing experts.
• Exercise final authority over nursing job descriptions, nursing care policies and procedures, standards of patient care, treatment and services, nursing practice standards, nurse staffing plans, and measures for assessing and improving patient outcomes.
• Ensure registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and licensed practical nurses maintain required licenses, certifications, and registrations upon employment and thereafter.
• Ensure processes are in place to evaluate individual competency and review annual performance ratings.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for organized nursing services and promote collaboration between nursing and other disciplines and functional areas.
• Champion a high-reliability organization and a safety culture based on systems thinking, evidence-based solutions, prevention, and collective mindfulness.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive