Nurse Practitioner - Clinical Deployment Team

Summary
These Nurse Practitioner positions will be a part of the Clinical Deployment Team for VISN 1. These are full-time positions. There are 3 position available in Primary Care.
This vacancy is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at 11:59 pm ET on 11/6/2023 or 11:59 pm ET on the day we receive the 50 applications, whichever comes first.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties
This position is part of a VHA Clinical Deployment Team (CDT) which requires readiness for deployment of clinical staff dedicated to the continuity of Veteran healthcare and support to the communities in time of crisis. Incumbent adheres to the following requirements/conditions:

• Be able to deploy, within the team's scheduled deployment windows, to any event within 72 hours of notification with the ability to work seamlessly with receiving facility or agencies.
• Maintain a readiness for an identified minimum of 2 rotational windows of expected deployable status per calendar year, for up to a month at a time.
• Continuously notify supervisor of any constraints that may impact deployment to any event within 72 hours, including but not limited to any protected leave entitlements and/or reported injury or illness, by following supervisor notification processes and VHA Human Resources practices.
• Understand that the tour of duty during a deployment may differ from the normal shift a CDT staff operates when at the assigned facility.
• Work under a high stress healthcare environment, possibly in austere conditions, or in an emergency setting, while maintaining awareness of the critical elements of an emergency deployment by processing information from various sources.
• Understand that CDT may deploy into austere conditions which are defined as: various housing and living conditions to include non-climate controlled, limited privacy sleeping facilities (i.e., cots, tents, "hot-bunking", gymnasiums, or similar), limited shower and laundry facilities, and limited feeding options (such as shelf-stable meals, meals-ready-to-eat, and field kitchens). Work may be performed in an office setting, indoor or outdoor field site, sometimes in adverse weather.
• Agree to be deployed within their VISN outside of scheduled national CDT deployment windows. VISN deployments may occur at the discretion of the VISN Director, keeping in mind the CDT staff's needs for rest, recuperation, and training. CDT staff will not be deployed more than 120 days per year.
• Must be able to provide direct patient care when deployed to an emergency, within the CDT staff's scope of practice, privileges, licensure, and/ functional statement, with the resources available.
• Ensure qualifications, required certifications, licensure, and registration particular to the clinical position are maintained and immediately report any issues/changes impacting qualifications, required certifications, licensure, and registration.
• Ensure that CDT responsibilities are met by maintaining awareness of one's own behavior and is conscious of actions taken to support and/or prevent compromising mission at hand.
• Complete mandatory CDT training courses prior to being deployed.
• Demonstrate readiness to apply professional skills to a range of emergency situations during regular training and simulations. Participate in CDT specific training activities (i.e., conferences, exercises, simulations, specific competencies, certifications).
• Maintain clinical competencies particular to the CDT role by participation in emergency response exercises and code teams.
• Report to Occupational Health for physical fitness assessments for pre-employment and CDT-required pre-deployment reviews.
• Meet the physical demands of the position which may require strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods or standing, and bending and stooping.
• Maintain VHA physical fitness requirements, vaccinations, and safety precautions related to infection control, and occupational safety requirements and preventative measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
• Review, during deployments, timecard for accuracy before submitting to facility supervisor for final approval to reduce timekeeping errors. The deployment orders will contain details regarding the designated timekeeper.
• Obtain a travel card from the facility and complete all training and reporting requirements associated with the card.

Work Schedule: To be determined by the hiring manager which will meet the needs of the facility
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Notifications:

• This is in the Bargaining Unit Position
• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments based on the candidate's education and experience. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
• This position is covered by a special rate.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process.

Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.
• Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• 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.
• Nurse Practitionersmust be licensed or otherwise recognized as a Nurse Practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty of Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontology.

Preferred Experience and Certifications
3-5 Years of Primary Care Experience
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 III - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.
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: 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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 incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.

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