Advanced Practice Nurse - Nurse Practitioner (Acute Pain Services)

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. §7407(a).
• 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 is a post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.
• 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:

1. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post-master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (NOTE: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013 ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); OR,
2. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level.
3. 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.

• 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.
• 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.
2. Basic Certification. All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); The 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Possesses strong clinical knowledge of acute and chronic pain in surgical and non-surgical pain states.
• Experience working in a team context to care for patients with acute and acute-on-chronic pain conditions.
• Familiarity with pain management using appropriate opioid and non-opioid modalities, care of pre- and post-operative surgical patients, and coordination of care.

Grade Determination. In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience:

APN (Nurse Practitioner) II: (a) Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others (b) 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.

(c) 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.

APN (Nurse Practitioner) III: (a) Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care. (b) 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.

(c) Dimension Requirement. APNs (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.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6a, Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner).

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning patients or similar activities. Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.); Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying (15-44); Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight Pulling (1hour); Pushing (1-3 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (2-7); Kneeling(2hours); Repeated bending(2hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both Legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; specific visual requirement 20/40 DVA; corrected; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Sitting (8 hours per day); Simple Grasping (2-4 hours per day); Fine Manipulation (4-6 hours, includes keyboarding per day); Twisting (2 hours per day); Mental and Emotional Stability.