Nurse Associate Director, Ambulatory Care

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. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse V: Scope: Practice of an executive nature, comprised of complex leadership and administrative components, associated with critical health care issues and activities that drive meeting the organizational mission, health care and policy. Education: Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR Master’s degree in a *related field with a BSN and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral 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 IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimension Requirements: Leadership. Establishes the strategic direction for health care delivery, evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Creates a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the organization or enterprise level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care through the application of new processes, technology, informatics, data analytics, business principles, systems thinking and resource management at the organization or enterprise level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Establishes an industry leading, shared decision-making culture; a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families, and caregivers of all backgrounds; builds trust and cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the organization and enterprise level. Communication and Relationship Management. Drives the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional and organizational values, beliefs, and practices at the organizational or enterprise level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Sets the standard for a culture of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the organization or enterprise level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans, the community, and the health care industry. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Expert knowledge and experience in ambulatory care and management of the healthcare delivery systems to support operation initiatives. 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience. Experience in multiple ambulatory areas (i.e., primary care, specialty care, VA Health Connect, Clinical Resource Hubs, Emergency Department/Urgent Care, Home Telehealth, Home-Based Primary Care.) Strong interpersonal skills (e.g., communication, leadership, responsibility, teamwork). Self-directed, detail oriented, excellent at meeting deadlines with well-developed time management skills. Knowledge and experience with Oracle CERNER HER and Legacy. Ability to provide direction provides direction for the formulation and establishment of effective management policies, programs, and practices for the VHA that maximize clinical patient safety, effectiveness, and efficient care delivery across the full continuum of ambulatory care and associated clinical areas. Excellent communication skills to effectively communicate orally, at briefings, meetings, and conferences, and must be skilled in written and graphic communications that effectively convey the specific issue, background, and the factors. Ability to work independently, to take the initiative in the absence of direction and the ability to multi-task based with tight deadlines. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks based on deadlines, importance, and scope of assignments. Expert knowledge of VHA and VA programs and staff support services, their policies and practices, funding sources, fiscal management and automation policies and procedures, organizational structure, mission, and functions. Ability to apply complex problem solving and negotiating skill in a highly visible and specialized environment. Assesses trends in ambulatory care nursing practice and clinical outcome measurement systems to identify and implement optimal practices and approaches, and the use of information systems, electronic health record, metrics, and outcome measures to guide care. Communicates and fosters effective labor management partnerships. Provides strategic leadership, management, and oversight in ambulatory clinical practice, focusing on advancing nursing practice, strengthening clinical leadership, and promoting nursing excellence. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
The Nurse V Associate Director, Ambulatory Care (ADAC) is an advanced healthcare executive who executes responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in the guidance and direction of a variety of complex patient care programs and services. The incumbent is a key member of the Office of Nursing Services (ONS) leadership team. This vacancy may be filled in Washington, DC or a location to be determined