RN - Nursing Excellence Pathway Coordinator

Summary
The Registered Nurse - Nursing Excellence Pathway Coordinatoris responsible for leading and coordinating activities related to Pathway to Excellence and Shared Governance. The incumbent will collaborate with nursing staff and nursing administration to create a culture dedicated to innovative, collaboration, and synergy.
This job is open to

• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizen
Videos
Duties
***This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until September 29, 2023, or when the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 28, 2022. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. ***
***Applicant Expiration: Applicants will remain active for 6 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USA Jobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. ***
The RN - Nursing Excellence Pathway Coordinatorwill be for VA Central California Health Care System within Nursing Service located at 2615 East Clinton Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703. He/she is accountable for the management of data to support program planning, policy development, long-term strategic planning and setting of goals. He/she must demonstrate excellent role modeling behaviors, experience in project management, strategic planning, marketing, analytical and program development skills, excellence in writing, reporting, and speaking, knowledge of accrediting standards and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recognition programs.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborates with clinical and administrative leadership, assumes system-wide responsibility for coordination of the ANCC Pathway to Excellence application, designation, and re-designation process.
• Provides administrative consultation for staff assigned to the Pathway to Excellence project and administrative leadership to a variety of staff directly involved in achieving Pathway to Excellence status.
• Serves as the Pathway advisor to the leadership teams and the liaison to the ANCC Pathway/Magnet office.
• Develops written reports related to assessments and recommends change in the clinical practice environment which may be required in order to achieve Pathway to Excellence status.
• Supports Nursing Administration in assuring that the organization milieu reflects the internalization of the components of Pathway to Excellence.
• Provides administrative direction for the Shared Governance and all Nursing councils. Serves as a professional advisor to all nursing councils.
• Coordinates, supports, and collaborates routinely with the Associate Director, Patient Care Services, Deputy Associate Director, Patient Care Services concerning gaps with ongoing analysis and any recommendations pertinent to the efficient operation of nursing departments.
• Develops strategic and tactical plans for obtaining/retaining Nursing Pathway to Excellence status.
• Prepares and presents annual Nursing Report to include the annual goals and achievements that have had impact on any patients, the community, and organizations and/or the nursing profession.
• Prepares, analyzes, and interprets data and prepares progress reports as required. - Provides oversight to create a Nursing Newsletter in collaboration with the Direct Care Nursing council, Shared Governance Councils, and others as identified by NEC.
• Proactively scans the environment, literature, etc. to identify opportunities for improvement to meet and/or maintain Pathway to Excellence designation requirements.
• Identifies, develops, and maintains a comprehensive data management system for achieving, maintaining, and continued readiness. - Promotes an environment of interdisciplinary excellence that is patient centric.
• Promotes Nursing Excellence through the process of Shared Governance.
• Demonstrates leadership skills including willingness to accept increasing levels of accountability, comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching and teaching in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Provides segment of nursing orientation of new staff regarding the Shared Governance Structure, Nursing Council functions and membership.
• Continually promotes a progressive path that achieve Pathway to Excellence and progression to Magnet status.

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: Monday - Friday, 08:00 A.M. to 04:30 P.M.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
Requirements
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.
• 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
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: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. 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.
• RN Licensure: 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN).
• Expertise in leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with obtaining the pathway nurse credentialing.
• Experience with getting magnet status within the facility.
• Possess Lean principles.
• Project management experience.
• Excellent communication skills.
• At least five (5) years of Registered Nurse 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 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 of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience.

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. The incumbent will be exposed to different alarms, and it is critical that incumbent is able to discern different alarms. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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. This position require heavy lifting & carrying (45 lbs. and over); straight pulling & pushing (7-8 hours); reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing & Kneeling (up to 1 hour): Repeated bending (7-8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability.
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.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accom...