Registered Nurse-Clinical Nurse Leader(Recruitment/Relocation Incentive) EDRP Approved

Veterans Health Administration • Bonham, TX

15d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) improves patient-care quality and prepares nurses to thrive in the health care system. The role engages highly skilled clinicians in outcome-based practice and quality improvement. The CNL oversees care coordination for a distinct group of patients and provides direct patient care in complex situations. The CNL collaborates with the Nurse Manager and frontline staff to evaluate nursing staff clinical expertise and practice. This master's-prepared clinician applies evidence-based practice so patients benefit from current care-delivery innovations and leads efforts with management and Shared Governance to address care and culture disparities between units. The position evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations; program or service outcomes are broad and complex and may be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.

The CNL collaborates in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines; provides constructive feedback to peers; organizes care delivery to support continuity, peer accountability, access to care, and discharge planning; functions as an expert in clinical practice or assigned areas; and uses professional standards, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and service activities.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student-loan reimbursement program. Applicants must meet VHA eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. A comprehensive VA nurse rewards package is offered, including paid leave, federal retirement, insurance options, and potential performance awards.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program, or qualifying equivalent education under VA requirements.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree from an accredited Clinical Nurse Leader education program.
• Clinical Nurse Leader certification from the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
• Meet applicable VA qualification and grade-determination criteria.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass pre-employment screening requirements, including a physical evaluation; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment drug testing.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and may be required to serve a probationary period, including a two-year probationary period.
• Must complete the required application and onboarding steps and provide acceptable identification.

Nice To Haves

• Master's-prepared nurse.
• Active Clinical Nurse Leader certification.
• At least three years of acute care or critical care experience as an RN.
• At least two years of leadership experience.
• Active nursing certification other than CNL certification.
• Proficiency completing PDSA and evidence-based practice (EBP) projects.

Responsibilities

• Improve patient-care quality and help prepare nurses to thrive in the health care system through outcome-based practice and quality improvement.
• Oversee care coordination for a distinct group of patients and provide direct patient care in complex situations.
• Collaborate with the Nurse Manager and frontline staff to evaluate nursing staff clinical expertise and practice.
• Apply evidence-based practice and lead efforts with management and Shared Governance to address care and culture disparities between units.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Collaborate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback for improvement.
• Lead and organize care delivery to ensure continuity, peer accountability, access to care, and discharge planning.
• Function as an expert in clinical practice and areas related to assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Use professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and service activities.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student-loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000.
• Potential recruitment or relocation incentive.
• 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 VA contributions up to 5%.
• 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