Clarification from the agency

US Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Assistant Chief Nurse utilizes a comprehensive, systems-focused approach to nursing leadership that emphasizes evidence-based practice, innovation, and adaptive care delivery. By applying principles of complexity science, systems theory, and healthcare management, the role evaluates and responds to the dynamic nature of outpatient and specialty care environments, ensuring care models remain responsive, efficient, and aligned with evolving Veteran needs.
The Assistant Chief Nurse drives the implementation of evidence-based and innovative nursing interventions across microsystems and broader programmatic levels to optimize care delivery and outcomes for diverse populations. The role synthesizes evidence and employs advanced analytical and improvement science methodologies to develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion, disease prevention, and population-based strategies that address complex clinical and operational challenges.
The Assistant Chief Nurse applies public health principles and evaluates social drivers of health to inform the development of comprehensive, equitable care programs that reduce disparities and improve access and outcomes across outpatient and specialty care services. Program outcomes are broad, complex, and demonstrable across organizational levels.
The Assistant Chief Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing, coordinating, or supervising care. This includes oversight of nursing practice, personnel, and clinical resources to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient- and family-centered care throughout the continuum. The role ensures coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, satisfaction, and continuity, while adhering to established policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines.
The ACN spearheads quality improvement initiatives using data-driven approaches, advanced performance measurement, and benchmarking against rigorous internal and external standards. The role evaluates care outcomes, identifies system-level variation, and adapts strategies to support continuous improvement in quality, safety, access, and patient experience. Risk identification and mitigation strategies are implemented to optimize patient safety across outpatient and specialty programs.
The ACN functions as a self-directed clinical leader, consultant, and collaborator, utilizing management theory in partnership with Patient Care Service and interdisciplinary stakeholders. Effective communication and leadership facilitate collaboration across nursing, medical, and
administrative teams to navigate complex care scenarios and achieve shared outcomes. The role assists and supports Nurse Managers in fulfilling operational, clinical, and administrative responsibilities, providing guidance that strengthens frontline leadership and accountability. Leadership is demonstrated at the service and facility level through appropriate delegation, functional oversight, and strategic support to the Associate Chief of Nursing Service, Outpatient and Specialty Care. Responsibilities include oversight of specialty and procedural programs, participation in aggregate data analysis, and engagement in budget planning to anticipate current, emerging, and future resource needs. The ACN leads decisions related to resource
allocation based on patient care systems that produce high-quality, cost-effective outcomes.
The ACN provides coordination and accountability for regulatory, accreditation, and environmental surveys, ensuring compliance with applicable directives, policies, standards, and standard operating procedures, and adherence to mandatory response timelines. Active participation in quality improvement, customer service initiatives, and organizational performance activities is a core element of performance.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: 08:00am-04:30pm
Telework: Available Ad Hoc Only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)

• A minimum of four (4) years of nursing practice, two (2) years of which should be in leadership positions, an emphasis on specialized Outpatient: Primary and Specialty care.
• Experience with policy development, shared governance, and HRO principles.
• Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge: OIG, VISN, VHA, and Joint Commission.
• Ability to mentor and develop nursing staff at all levels.
• Strong skills in care coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps