Clarification from the agency

This announcement open to Federal Employees and the Public. Federal employees must provide SF50 to received applicable eligibility. Please see accepted SF50 document types accepted below in the Documents section of this announcement. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Associate Chief Nurse (ACN), Medical Center Education executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission. Responsible for administrative functions of their assigned nursing unit/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Service (PCS) and other facility services.

Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and Veteran Integrated Systems Network (VISN) levels. Key relationships with staff are needed to assist Nurse Managers (NM) and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) to carry out the functions and activities expected of them, contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide, assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs, and collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.

The ACN, Medical Center Education provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within the Education Department as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS). Provides direct supervision over the following areas to include, but not limited to Nursing Education, Diabetes Education Program, Academic Affiliations, Competency Program, Coach Mentor program, and the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) Program. Additionally, is responsible for New Employee Orientation, New Supervisor Training programs, and the facility LEAD program. Demonstrates creative approaches in the provision of education and training for patients and staff within the main facility and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). Responsible for generating and disseminating new knowledge relevant to clinical practice, nursing administration, and nursing education.

The ACN, Medical Center Education is directly responsible for education needs assessments; provision, design, and evaluation of staff and patient education activities; provision of Library Services by the Learning Resource Center (LRC); and acts as the education liaison to all medical center services and the VISN Education Council. The Associate Chief Nurse, Medical Center Education has fiscal oversight of education program funding, scholarship program management, and LRC budget. Responsible for budget planning, forecasting, management, coaching and supervision of nursing and administrative support staff, program development, performance improvement leadership, labor management activities and participation in the interdisciplinary team.

The ACN, Medical Center Education serves as the Designated Learning Officer (DLO) and Designated Education Officer (DEO) for the medical center. The DLO oversees, assesses, and strengthens Veterans Affairs (VA) training and education mission. The DLO/DEO ensures the maintenance and success of all affiliations for health professional training, consulting with Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) Office of Academic Affiliations as needed to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and VHA laws and regulations, and all accrediting body standards. They are also responsible for the Veterans Affairs Student Trainee Experience Program (VA STEP) and coordinating the Graduate Medical Education (GME) and other trainees. They will consult with VHA's Employee Education System (EES) as needed to ensure compliance with staff education functions such as mandatory training, Talent Management System (TMS), availability of learning resources, and all Veteran Affairs Central Office (VACO) reporting related to education. Provides administrative support for the VA National Nursing Education Initiative (NNEI) scholarship program. Maintains Academic Service partnerships with affiliate universities and colleges of nursing.

Additional duties as assigned.

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

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Not available.
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.)

• Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
• Dimensions:
  • Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level.
  • Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level.
  • Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle. Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level.
  • Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level.
  • Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community.
  
  

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

Required when applying as a current Federal employee, provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing your pay plan, grade, step, and salary. SF-50s for Awards will not be accepted.SF-50s are available in your eOPF. If you having issues accessing your eOPF please reach out to your local HR Office for assistance. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include:

• Within grade increases at the highest grade held
• General Adjustments from consecutive years
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old
• SF-50s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old
• General Adjustment from within the past 12 months

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps