Nurse Practitioner-Geriatrics

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center Geriatrics and Extended Care Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Nurse Practitioner (NP). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program.

As a Licensed Independent Provider the Nurse Practitioner practices autonomously and in coordination with health care professionals and other individuals. The incumbent provides a wide range of health care services including the diagnosis and management of acute chronic and complex health problems; health promotion; disease prevention; health education; and counseling to individuals families groups and communities. Must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

Major duties and responsibilities of the position:
- Serves as Hospice/Palliative Nurse Practitioner in Geriatrics Service working in the following areas: Community Living Center (CLC) Hospice and Palliative Care Unit Acute Care Units and seeing outpatients for Palliative CLC the APN is responsible for the management of a panel of patients with acute care and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence- based practice in a long-term care setting at the Community Living Center (CLC) as part of the GEC staff.
- Performs consults in inpatient acute care CLC and outpatient settings. Ongoing daily clinical management of Veterans receiving care in inpatient acute care CLC hospice and palliative care designated units.
- The APN will provide direct patient care which include completing admission H&P progress notes transfer notes all day-to-day aspects of patient care and participation in family conferences.
- Does monthly notes completes section I in MDS weekly wound rounds attend IDT meetings pain management notes self-medication clearance notes aspiration precaution orders for veterans on special diet and collaboration with physicians.
- Independently manages a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice.
- Performs initial and ongoing assessment of medication therapy medication monitoring plans (as appropriate) and identifying patient-specific medication issues including drug interactions adverse effects efficacy appropriateness and compliance challenges for Veterans receiving ongoing palliative care. Develops a plan for follow-up and ongoing assessment evaluation with the interdisciplinary team that aligns with the Veteran and family goals.
- Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team.
- Ensures referrals from within the facility are addressed appropriately coordinating team meetings ensuring effective communications with community hospice agencies for transitioning Veterans serving as a resource for VA staff that make community hospice referrals promoting competency in palliative care for all members of the PCCT through current certification or by attendance at continuing education programs annually and
monitoring and reporting of quality measures.
- Collaborates with the Palliative Care Coordinator and Palliative care Team to identify and solve clinical and administrative challenges in the care of all Veterans with serious illness seeking care.
- Performs assessments and makes recommendations related to prognosis pain and symptom management goals of care and associated treatment decisions advance care planning psychosocial spiritual and other issues family meetings and referrals to hospice and other VA and community services.
-Expect to evacuate with Hospice/CLC veterans during Bay Pines Hurricane evacuation to other facilities.

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: Friday to Tuesday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This position will work 8 hours working weekends as prescribed by the Supervisor Friday through Tuesday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• English Language accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• 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 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification 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

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements

• Education: A post-masters certificate or masters or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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).
  • NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current full active and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active current full and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

• Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.
• Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel population or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.
  • Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.

• Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• 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.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel population or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations.
  • Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel population or program.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel population or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior promoting cooperation and teamwork.