Chief Registered Nurse (Surgery)

Associate Chief Nurse (CN) for Surgery Nursing Areas

The Associate Chief Nurse (CN) for surgery nursing areas executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines, influence organizational mission and health care, and responsibility for outcomes. The CN is responsible for administrative functions of their assigned nursing units/programs. Functions as an administrator, educator and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Service and other services. Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Key relationships with staff are needed to:

1. Assist nurse managers and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them.
2. Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide.
3. Assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs.
4. Collaborate with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.

The Scope of Practice of all RNs in all areas of clinical practice is defined in the four (4) dimensions outlined in the Nurse Qualification Standards.

1. PRACTICE (Ethics, Resource Utilization)
   • ETHICS: Provides leadership in addressing ethical issues that impact patients and staff in or beyond the organization and the local health care community.
   • RESOURCE UTILIZATION: Designs, modifies, and implements systems compatible with professional standards and within the mission and the goals of the organization to improve the cost-effective use of resources.
2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Education/Career Development, Performance)
   • EDUCATION/CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Develops staff for career progression. Forecasts new knowledge needs for changing practice environments/population groups. Plans, implements, and evaluates strategies to meet those needs.
   • PERFORMANCE: Implements standards of professional practice and accrediting bodies and applicable regulations
3. COLLABORATION (Collaboration, Collegiality)
   • COLLABORATION: Demonstrates leadership in developing productive working relationships with groups in other programs, services, academic settings, and community settings
   • COLLEGIALITY: Contributes to the professional growth and development of colleagues and other health care providers at the local, state, regional, or national level.
4. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (Quality of Care, Research)
   • QUALITY OF CARE: Provides leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of care in diverse or complex programs.
   • RESEARCH: Collaborates with staff, other disciplines, faculty, and peers in developing, conducting, and evaluating research activities and programs.

Required Qualifications

• MSN or BSN with Masters in a health-related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of four to five years successful nursing practice
• Minimum of 2 years successful management experience in one or more areas of surgery
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with employees, customers, vendors and members of the interdisciplinary matrix
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and evaluate integrated programs
• Demonstrated clinical excellence in management of groups
• Demonstrated knowledge of current techniques, trends and professional issues, and organizational improvement
• Demonstrated ability to use computer software in support of preparing and presenting reports and analysis

Preferred Level of Education

• Masters Degree in Nursing or Masters in a related field and a BSN
• MSN from Bridge Program (no BSN required)
• Doctoral degree in nursing or a related field

Preferred Certification(s)

• ANCC Nurse Executive Leadership Certification

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: Mon- Fri, 0730-1600. Tour subject to change.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs