Associate Chief Nurse, Nursing Operations

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 5, 2026 or when vacant positions have been filled. The first group of eligible applicants will be reviewed May 21, 2026. Subsequent reviews will be conducted periodically until these positions are filled.

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties

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Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Associate Chief Nurse functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability.
• Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission.
• Provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services.
• Supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals.
• Work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide.
• Relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels.
• Assist the ADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them.
• Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network.
• Work closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veteran Affairs (VA) staff nationwide.
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.
• All other duties as assigned.

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: 0730-1600 requires 24/7 accountability and oversight

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : May be Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

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 IV:

• Scope: 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 and influence organizational mission and health care.
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's 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 III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
• Dimensions:
  • Leadership . Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level.
  • Business Acumen . Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level.
  • Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle. Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level.
  • Communication and Relationship Management . Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level.
  • Professional and Social Responsibility . Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Preferred Experience:

Leadership & Management

• Progressive leadership experience in ambulatory or primary care settings, including oversight of interdisciplinary teams and clinic operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, drive process improvements, and support organizational initiatives aligned with VA mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Experience applying evidence-based leadership practices to improve access, quality, and patient experience.

Clinical Expertise

• Strong clinical background in ambulatory care/primary care nursing with expertise in care coordination, chronic disease management, and population health.
• Proven ability to apply the nursing process at a systems level, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programs.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Experience ensuring compliance with accreditation standards (e.g., Joint Commission, OIG, VISN requirements) and VA directives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage readiness activities, policy development, and program evaluation.

Operational & Administrative Skills

• Experience managing staffing models, workload analysis, clinic flow, and productivity metrics in primary care.
• Skill in resource management, including recruitment, performance management, and staff development.
• Strong understanding of VA systems, clinical documentation standards, and regulatory frameworks derived from VA Handbook 5005 and functional statement expectations for nurse leaders

Collaboration & Communication

• Proven ability to engage collaboratively with providers, nurse managers, administrative partners, and service line leaders to solve problems and enhance team performance.
• Strong communication skills with experience presenting to leadership, facilitating meetings, and leading multidisciplinary initiatives.

Quality, Safety & Performance Improvement

• Demonstrated experience leading quality improvement initiatives, root-cause analyses, action plans, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
• Familiarity with VA performance measures, PACT principles, and systems-level improvement strategies.

Education & Professional Development

• Demonstrated commitment to staff development, competency programs, and fostering a culture of learning and accountability.

Physical Requirements: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.