The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Women's Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (WH CNS) practices women's gender specific services to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The CNS provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) Basic Requirements Education. A post-master's certificate or masters or doctoral degree as a clinical nurse specialist. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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) NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the CNS degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent CNS post-masters, masters, or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. License. All APN (CNSs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNS, or equivalent, in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Certification. All APN (CNSs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty. Certification must be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), or another nationally recognized certifying body. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (CNS) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician Clinical Nurse Specialist on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (CNSs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APN (CNSs) at grade II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (CNS) AND One year of specialized APN (CNS) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement. APN (CNSs) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Preferred Experience: 2 years in women's health and obstetrics & Gynecology Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. ["The WH CNS Advance Practice Nurse is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. WH CNS: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the advanced practice nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Adheres to established policies, standards of care, and standards of practice. Demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, medication management, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Demonstrates a systematic body of knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of actual or potential health problems, including syntheses of data, and the use of complex skills and interventions. Exercises a high degree of independent judgment with prescriptive authority as noted in their written practice of agreement. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Orders medications and procedures per establishing policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of Gynecology, the Women's Health care team and the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) across the health care system. Serves as an advocate for patients and is clinically supportive of staff. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives and staff education, as well as customer service programs. Supports and actively participates in initiatives such as Patient Centered Care and I CARE. Duties will be primarily performed within the Community Based Outpatient Clinics and main campus Primary Care Clinics. The employee may be directed to work in other areas within the organization in extenuating or emergent situations. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: - Performs comprehensive histories, physical examinations, and other health assessment and screening activities. - Diagnoses, treats, counsels, and manages patients with acute and chronic illnesses and diseases. - Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. - Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. - Makes appropriate referrals for patients and families. - Aides in health promotion, disease prevention, and health education.- Initiates referrals/consults to specialty services. - Provides education to patients and their families. - Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. - Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. 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 - 4:30pm Telework: Regular telework 3+ days/PP Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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