Advance Practice Nurse – Surgical Care

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). b. Education. A post-master’s certificate or master’s or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (NOTE: the post-master’s certificate is formal education awarded from an acceptable school of professional nursing and is not considered board certification as described under 2.c.(2) of this appendix). (1) Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant: (a) The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post-master’s certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (NOTE: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013 ACEN’s website may be utilized to verify. accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program’s accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); or (b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master’s level. (2) 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 (see paragraph 2c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. c. Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. (1) License. All APNs (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. (2) Certification. (a) All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: i. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); ii. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, (AANPCB); or iii. Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision – All persons employed in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in this occupational series and APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determination: The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for APN (Nurse Practitioner) II: (a) Scope. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. (b) Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. (c) Dimension Requirement. APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: i Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. ii 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. iii Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. iv Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. v 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 APN (Nurse Practitioner) III: (a) Scope. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care. (b) Education and Experience Requirement. i Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP). AND ii One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. c) Dimension Requirement. APNs (Nurse Practitioners) at grade Ill are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: i 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. ii 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. iii 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. iv Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. v 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: 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: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. Lexington VAMC is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, neurological, and psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) practices in Surgery Service as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The Nurse Practitioner provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management.