Nurse - Unit Based Clinical Nurse Educator

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This position combines 50% direct patient care with 50% indirect care in support of the VA’s Whole Health System of Care. The initiative shifts care from a disease-focused, episodic approach to an interdisciplinary and holistic approach centered on Veterans’ self-care, health, and wellbeing, integrating conventional care with Complementary and Integrative Health approaches.

The educator provides evidence-based patient care and unit-based clinical education, training, competency validation, and staff development. The role supports staff orientation and professional growth, helps ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance, and contributes to quality improvement and evidence-based practice. The position is full-time and offers a range of shift lengths and times, with rotating weekend and holiday work. Telework and virtual work are not available.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. Approved awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated VA provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and grade-determination criteria for the applicable Nurse grade and level.
• Meet applicable U.S. citizenship requirements; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment screening and medical evaluation, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling, prolonged walking and standing, bending, reaching, and fine motor tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of Belt/Systems Redesign training, experience, or certification.
• Completion of SNT/GNT/RNTTP within the past five years.
• Professional Governance participation.
• Preceptor or Charge Nurse experience or training; a combination of experience and training is acceptable.
• Evidence-Based Practice experience or training; a combination of experience and training is acceptable.
• More than two years of nursing education experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, evidence-based patient care, including assessments, medication administration, and care coordination.
• Deliver unit-based clinical education, training, competency validation, and staff development.
• Conduct learning needs assessments and develop educational plans and programs.
• Support staff orientation and create individualized learning plans to address skill gaps.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership and interprofessional teams to identify and meet educational needs.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and apply evidence-based practices to enhance outcomes.
• Serve as a clinical resource, mentor, and coach to support staff competency and professional growth.
• Support patient safety, regulatory compliance, and best-practice standards across the unit.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards of up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• 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 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
• Education Level: Associate degree