Patient Care Associate Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Graduate of an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration 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 the Nurse V dimension requirements in leadership, business acumen, inspiring an industry-leading culture, communication and relationship management, and professional and social responsibility.
• Submit transcripts documenting the degree and graduation or conferral date; foreign education requires a certificate of foreign equivalency with the transcript when used to qualify.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Subject to background/security investigation and, for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Complete required onboarding and identification documentation, seasonal influenza vaccination requirements, and annual Employee Health requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet the physical requirements, including potentially long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials; and possible need to wear protective clothing.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.
• May be required to drive and/or ride in GSA vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and direction for complex patient-care services and programs to improve care for Veterans.
• Be responsible for nursing practice 24/7 for registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and allied health staff, regardless of line authority.
• Exercise final authority and approval over job descriptions, policies and procedures, patient-care and nursing-practice standards, staffing plans, functional statements, and standards for measuring, assessing, and improving patient outcomes.
• Delegate activities to service lines under the ADPCS’s purview.
• Ensure registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and licensed practical/vocational nurses have required licenses, certifications, and registrations upon employment and thereafter.
• Ensure processes are in place to evaluate individual competency and review annual performance ratings.
• Establish strategic direction for healthcare delivery, evidence-based practices, research, and innovative care models.
• Create a shared vision, lead organizational change, improve performance, and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Transform established practices to foster inquiry and innovation.
• Identify and objectively analyze strategic plans and healthcare, quality, and safety issues at all levels of the organization.
• Influence strategic thought leaders to build consensus and cooperation toward organizational goals.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and federal standards.
• Use economic concepts, cost-benefit analyses, and business models to set priorities and measurable goals.
• Promote professional and ethical principles that support a diverse and inclusive workforce serving Veterans, families, and caregivers.
• Advocate for healthcare policy that provides reliable, accessible, and affordable healthcare.
• Develop, lead, and support facility-wide patient-care delivery programs, policies, guidelines, and procedures for assessing, evaluating, and meeting patients’ healthcare needs.

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.
• 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 and recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified individuals.
• Permanent change of station is authorized.