Nurse Practitioner (Np) - Cardiothoracic Surgery

There is a full-time Cardiothoracic SurgeryNurse Practitioner position open at the Milwaukee VAMC.
There may be a recruitment incentive authorized for highly specialized external candidates. Please see details below.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.
• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. 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), OR B) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) must be obtained. Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education. Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met.
• 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, AND 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. Basic certification as a Nurse Practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment.
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment, advancement and promotion will be based on the following specific requirement for an APN (NP). The level of practice at which an APN (NP) may perform is based upon a combination of many factors. Beyond the minimum educational requirements, grade determination, upon appointment and advancement, is dependent upon aspects such as continued professional development (formal and/or informal education), clinical performance, judgment, outcomes (at the service level and beyond), leadership and interpersonal skills that influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. As the APN (NP) acquires the knowledge, skills and judgment that accrues with experience, the privilege of increased authority for patient care and service in administrative roles is expanded as applicable.
• APN (Nurse Practitioner) II.
  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.
  APN (Nurse Practitioner) III
  Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP). AND One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.

Preferred Experience:

• Managing patients who need Cardiothoracic surgery services on an outpatient or inpatient basis is preferred.
• Serving as a first assistant in CT Surgery cases is preferred.
• Performance of endoscopic vein and artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery is preferred.

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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.Education:IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.Employment Type: FULL_TIME