The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The NP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The NP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. The NP has prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by their position. Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (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 nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner 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. License and Certification: License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) 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 (Nurse Practitioner) 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 - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(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 (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level 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 (Nurse Practitioner) 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 (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The NP assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury and Disease Clinic (SCI/D), and will be collaborating with the physician from the SCI/D team. The SCI/D primary care provider has advanced training and knowledge of SCI/D. The incumbent is a dedicated primary care clinician with training in SCI/D medicine to provide primary care and consultative services throughout the facility for eligible Veterans with SCI/D. Activities are performed in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: Must understand the unique conditions and problems that Veterans with SCI/D may develop related to underlying spinal cord dysfunction. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening (e.g., autonomic dysreflexia). Close collaboration and communication between SCI/D Spoke PACTS and SCI/D Centers. Main responsibility will be as the primary care provider for SCI/D Clinic patients. Performing medical histories and physical examinations. Providing and coordinating medical care for assigned patients in any care setting, including establishing diagnoses, formulating, and implementing care plans, and providing follow-up care. Evaluating outpatients to determine the need for further health care. Understand and be able to fully manage sensory impairments, autonomic dysreflexia, musculoskeletal problems, neurogenic bowel, pulmonary issues, urinary tract complications among others. Ordering or interpreting diagnostic studies, laboratory specimens and other special tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans, etc. Carrying out health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education activities. Ordering ancillary services, for example, Pharmacy, Social Services, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation therapies, Prosthetic services, etc. Ordering VA specialty service consults and initiating requests community care consults in accordance with VHA and local facility policy and procedures. Ordering patient care supplies, prescribes medications based on safety and efficiency and educates patients/caregivers regarding side effects, interactions with foods and other drugs. Admitting patients in consultation with the collaborating physician, performing admission history and physical examinations, conducting patient rounds, documenting progress notes and summaries in the patient electronic medical record, and writing patient orders on assigned patients. Obtaining and documenting informed consent for treatments, controlled substances, and procedures for which the incumbent is responsible. Providing education and counseling of patients and families in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Performing, screening, and interpreting the results of special medical examinations including, but not limited to, electrocardiogram or Holter monitoring, radiography, audiometric and vision screening, tonometry, and pulmonary function screening tests. Coordinate, chair, or participate in hospital programs, committees, clinical guideline or policy development, and quality improvement (QI) activities. Other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: 7:30am-4pm or 8am-4:30pm. Alternative work hours, if desired, should be agreed upon at the time of hire. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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