Registered Nurse - Chief Nurse, Medicine

Veterans Health Administration • West Palm Beach, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System is seeking an experienced Chief Nurse of Medicine to lead nursing programs and contribute to quality care standards and the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. Areas of oversight include the ICU, inpatient and outpatient hemodialysis, hematology/oncology, medical specialty outpatient clinics, the Emergency Department, and Occupational Health.

The Nurse IV Chief Nurse is responsible for administrative functions for assigned nursing units and programs, serving as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with Patient Care Service and other services. The position provides substantial and continuous leadership and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and discipline lines and influence the organization's healthcare mission. The Chief Nurse supervises Nurse Managers, promotes quality nursing care and effective personnel utilization, and supports collaboration among nursing and other professional disciplines to achieve patient-centered and organizational goals.

The role calls for clinical expertise in relevant specialties, sound critical thinking and decision-making, healthcare business and operational acumen, and a commitment to patient safety and quality care. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 80 hours per pay period. Hours may be rotated or extended based on Medical Center and Veteran needs. Telework is ad hoc only; this is not a virtual position. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants; permanent change of station is not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program, or qualifying alternative education described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet Nurse IV scope, education, experience, and dimension criteria.
• Qualifying education and experience: a master's degree in Nursing and four years of professional nursing experience, including one year of specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III; or a master's degree in a related field with a BSN and the same experience; or a doctoral degree in nursing and three years of professional nursing experience, including one year of specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III; or a doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and the same experience.
• Meet Nurse IV dimensions 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 under VA policy.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including urinalysis for applicants selected for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Be able to perform physical activities that may include prolonged walking, standing or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending or kneeling, and assisting Veterans using safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.

Nice To Haves

• National certification in Advanced Nursing Administration is strongly preferred.
• Progressive leadership experience at the Chief Nurse level.
• Three or more years of Nurse Manager experience.
• Nurse Manager and/or RN experience in the specialties overseen by this position: ICU, inpatient and outpatient hemodialysis, hematology/oncology, medical specialty outpatient clinics, Emergency Department, and Occupational Health.
• Chief Nurse or equivalent experience.
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills, strategic vision, and effective communication and relationship management abilities.
• Deep clinical expertise in the specialties within the areas of responsibility.
• Business acumen in healthcare economics and operations, including financial management, strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Commitment to patient safety and quality care, emotional resilience, stress management, technological proficiency, integrity, ethical conduct, flexibility, adaptability, self-awareness, initiative, patient advocacy, and continuous learning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining emotional strength and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in oneself and others.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision to Nurse Managers of patient care programs.
• Promote quality nursing care and effective utilization of personnel within Medicine Services.
• Perform administrative functions for assigned nursing units and programs.
• Serve as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with Patient Care Service and other services.
• Lead integrated programs and population groups across services or disciplines in support of the organizational healthcare mission.
• Support integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas to achieve patient-centered and organizational goals.
• Lead healthcare delivery using evidence-based practices, research, and innovative care models; drive change and measurable performance outcomes.
• Implement processes, technology, informatics, data analytics, and resource-management approaches at the program or service level.
• Promote effective relationship management and positive customer service experiences.
• Advance holistic care, health advocacy, health equity, ethical decision-making, and the translation of evidence into nursing practice.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, 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.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

What This Job Offers

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