Nurse Practitioner - Pulmonary And Sleep

Summary
The Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division under the Department of Medicine at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL is recruiting a Nurse Practitioner. The NP reports to Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine.
This job is open to

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

Clarification from the agency
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: 1. CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE JESSE BROWN VA 2. ALL OTHER CANDIDATES.
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Duties
The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse will serve as a member of the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine team and functions autonomously within the scope of approved clinical privileges and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team in the management of complex patient problems in an active practice to deliver all aspects of health care services to patients. The NP, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, will be responsible for the care of all pulmonary patients, including those with sleep disorders and on home oxygen.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performs comprehensive health assessments, differential diagnosis, ordering of diagnostic tests and the prescribing of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment in the direct management of acute and chronic illness and disease.
• Provides specialized treatments to specific patient populations.
• Works autonomously and in the interdisciplinary teams as resources and consultants.
• Responsible for the provision of high-quality, customer-focused, cost-effective care to specific patient populations within the clinical area assigned with the JBVAMC
• Ensures compliance of advanced nursing practice with all applicable local, community, VISN or National professional statues and regulations.
• Ensures that the practice of nursing is consistent with external standards such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and internal standards such as the Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Performance Measures for preventive health and chronic disease management.
• Assesses the educational needs of specific patient populations and develops and implements an educational plan.
• Collaborates with other Nurse Practitioners and health care providers throughout the JBVAMC and within the community to care for veterans, exchange knowledge and share clinical expertise.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams in an effective and inclusive manner.
• Ability to learn about the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary diseases, including but not limited to, sleep disorders and home oxygen use.
• Independently provides direct patient care and/or telehealth care to patients in the Sleep Disorders clinic, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
• Work collaboratively with Respiratory Therapy to manage Home Oxygen, PAP and ventilator dependent patients.
• Advising inpatient and outpatient providers to appropriate pulmonary work-up, as appropriate and/or as per protocol.
• Place appropriate consults and collaborate across many different medicine specialties and sub-specialties.
• Provide hands-on patient education about pulmonary therapies and their proper usage including positive airway pressure devices and other forms of non-invasive ventilation.
• Explain medical procedures and plan of care to patients and family.
• Assist with scheduling of patients for upcoming procedures, tests, and appointments, including coordinating with other services (division, departments) and completion of necessary documentation, scheduling forms and clearance.
• Triaging/answering pulmonary patient related phone calls, pages, messages, questions, and requests in a timely manner.
• Communicating normal and abnormal test results and follow-up recommendations to patients per VA policy.
• Attends departmental meetings and professional training sessions as requested.
• Participates in the educational experiences of Nurse Practitioner students, medical students, residents, and other healthcare disciplines. Serves as a preceptor and mentor.
• Participates in research and quality improvement projects within the practice area, including chart reviews
• Provides cross-coverage for other Pulmonary and Sleep NPs as requested by supervisor
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Work Schedule: Day Shift 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
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.

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 to which the individual is being appointed or selected.

Preferred Experience and Certifications -

• Current Nurse Practitioner Certification from a national certifying organization that correlates with the role and patient population
• National Certification related to area of assignment
• Active DEA License and state Controlled Substance Registration
• Active BLS and ACLS certification
• At least one year of Nurse Practitioner medical surgical experience; Pulmonary and Sleep disease focus preferred
• Demonstrated leadership, self-direction and rational problem solving skills
• Ability to work effectively with clinical medical equipment
• Documented evidence of excellent communication skills verbally and in writing
• Basic computer skills
• Previous experience working with underserved patient population preferred

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 I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.

• 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting.
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.

• Benefits
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How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed fo...