Neurosurgery - Nurse Practitioner APN

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Louis, MO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, practices in Surgical Service and provides comprehensive, evidence-based care to Veterans with neurosurgical conditions in outpatient, inpatient, and Emergency Department settings. The role includes advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and ongoing management, with an emphasis on care quality, timeliness, and support of the Department of Veterans Affairs mission. The Nurse Practitioner works collaboratively with neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other healthcare professionals and performs clinical procedures independently within approved clinical privileges.

The position is a licensed independent practitioner role. It requires an active, unrestricted APN license and current national board certification appropriate to the Nurse Practitioner’s preparation. The posting describes Nurse II and Nurse III qualification levels: Nurse II is the entry grade and requires no experience; Nurse III requires one year of specialized APN experience equivalent to Nurse II. It also lists as a physical requirement two or more years, within the last three years, of independent practice as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Neurosurgery or Orthopedic Surgery, with Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA).

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with the tour to be negotiated upon start. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Post-master’s certificate, master’s degree, or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner; graduate from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing (ACEN or CCNE).
• Maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Maintain full and current board certification from ANCC, AANPCB, or another nationally recognized certifying body in the Nurse Practitioner’s area of academic preparation; the posting identifies Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification.
• For Nurse III consideration, one year of specialized APN Nurse Practitioner experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Physical requirements state two or more years within the last three years of independent practice as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Neurosurgery or Orthopedic Surgery, with Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA).
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including urinalysis for applicants selected for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
• Complete required online onboarding and application documentation; provide acceptable identification for employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A probationary period may be required.

Nice To Haves

• For Nurse III, experience beyond the Nurse II entry grade is required; Nurse II itself requires no experience.
• Foreign nursing education may qualify if nurse practitioner degree equivalency is validated through a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive neurosurgical evaluations, establish diagnoses, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide ongoing outpatient management for acute and chronic neurosurgical conditions.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests, including advanced imaging, and adjust treatment plans based on clinical findings and patient response.
• Evaluate outpatient referrals, complete electronic consultations (eConsults), and determine appropriate follow-up and specialty care needs.
• Provide inpatient and Emergency Department consultations for patients needing neurosurgical evaluation and management.
• Perform preoperative and postoperative assessments, provide wound care, and manage postoperative recovery and complications.
• Coordinate surgical scheduling, preoperative testing, and patient optimization to ensure readiness for surgery.
• Admit postoperative patients, manage inpatient care, and complete discharge summaries and related clinical documentation.
• Perform clinical procedures independently within approved clinical privileges.
• Collaborate with neurosurgeons and other specialists to coordinate care and ensure continuity across outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Educate patients and families about neurosurgical conditions, treatment options, procedures, recovery, and ongoing care needs.
• Monitor patient progress, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and modify care plans to optimize outcomes.
• Complete disability-related documentation and other required clinical paperwork, as appropriate.
• Demonstrate the VA ICARE core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.
• At the Nurse II level, contribute to evaluating care delivery using research and evidence-based practice, collaborate as a team leader, develop practice expertise, and communicate professionally.
• At the Nurse III level, lead changes and interdisciplinary teams to improve quality, timeliness, and outcomes of care, and disseminate acquired knowledge and skills.

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 a 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: Entry Level