PACT/Specialty Registered Nurse Manager

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.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I – An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing experience required. Nurse I Level II – An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to aa Nurse 1, Level 1; OR a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing experience. Nurse I Level III – An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 2 yeas of professional nursing practice, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 2; OR a BSN with 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 2; OR a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and no professional nursing experience; OR a Master’s degree in a related filed with a Bachelors degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse II – A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Master’s degree in nursing with 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 3. OR Doctorate degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience OR a Doctorate degree in a related field with a MSN or BSN and no professional experience. Nurse III – Master’s degree in nursing and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctorate degree in Nursing and 1 year of specialized care which is equivalent to a Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a MSN or BSN and 1 Year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Preferred Experience: The Nurse Manager is responsible and accountable for the direction and supervision of specific orientation, training, development of staff, and evaluation of individual staff performance. They function as a role model, educator, practitioner, and supervisor providing leadership to the team. They influence care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team to remove barriers and implement new evidence based cutting-edge programs/processes. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Demonstrates the fundamental knowledge of the unit and is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.