Advanced Practice Nurse-Nurse Practitioner-Joint Venture-Temporary NTE 33128
El Paso, TX - USA
Job Summary
This position will serve as part of the El Paso VAHCS and William Beamont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) Surgical Expansion pilot to expand WBAMC surgical services to VA beneficiaries to include increased capabilities in Orthopedic General Surgery and Neurosurgery clinics and operative procedures.
FUNCTIONS OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:
The Primary Care APRN is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients.
Major duties and responsibilities of the position:
Independently perform surgical screening of patients including those with acute and chronic health conditions.
Provides assessments evaluations and care coordination of patients.
Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management.
Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the team.
Orders and interprets labs tests and diagnostic studies.
Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
Aides in health promotion disease prevention and health education.
Initiates referrals/consults for services serving as a VA DOD and community liaison.
Provides education to patients and their families.
Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Provides consultation regarding patients with surgical specialty problems.
Meet standards and regulatory requirements such as Joint Commission Performance Measures and Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in planning implementation and evaluation of surgical care for patients.
Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect and Excellence.
EPVAHCS/ WBAMC Surgical Expansion Pilot Duties:
They are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team to facilitate appropriate preoperative patient assessments. This includes coordination of anesthesia evaluations validation of testing as ordered by the surgeon and adjunct providers transportation assistance lodging arrangements identifying potential roadblocks to scheduling patients for procedures and alerting the surgeon and operative staff assisting patients in planning for discharge care and patient and family education. Patient and family education is focused on overall plan of care preoperative instructions for transport to and from the procedure and specific individualized physical preparation needed prior to surgery.
The Surgical Clinic Nurse acts as the patient advocate and answers patient inquiries and resolves patient concerns. Collaborates with surgical coordinators Operating Room (OR) staff anesthesia providers and adjunct providers as needed to ensure complete preparation for the
surgical patient. Responsible for maintaining metrics related to clinic performance goals and objectives and participates in continuous quality improvement projects. Practices within the guidelines of the policies standard operating procedures (SOP) and standards of care relative to the continuity of care for pre-operative surgical candidates. Validates understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions. Demonstrates the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities while displaying competence in practice and decision-making deliberate planning and critical thinking skills. Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe quality nursing care. Shares educational findings experiences and ideas with peers. Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals groups and populations. Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level.
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: Monday-Friday 08:00am-04:45pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
- 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- 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.
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) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) 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.
- HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.
The following Scope Education and Experience and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II:
Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(B).
- 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
- Two or more years experience as a nurse practitioner in a surgical urgent care long-term care or primary care environment.
- Two or more years conducting history and physical exams medication review surgical procedure risk pulmonary evaluations laboratory and EKG interpretation and other diagnostic tests pertinent to surgical risk.
- Two or more years evaluating a patients baseline stability quantifying cardiac and pulmonary risk and determining if the patient can safely undergo anesthesia and postoperative recovery.
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from or your school has changed names or is no longer in existence you must provide this information in your application.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC