Registered Nurse - Nurse Manager Community Living Center

Basic Requirements

English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.

Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program.

Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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.

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Grade Determinations

The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13094373.

Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Preferred Experience

MSN in Leadership Three plus years experience as a Nurse Manager Completion of ELNEC Training, Unit base Experience Leading Ascellon, LTCI, CARF surveys Experience with Staffing Methodology, Unit Budget, and Accustaff Change Management Certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and potentially prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required

Preferred experience for the Nurse Manager CLC will include MSN in Leadership, 3+ years experience as a Nurse Manager, Completion of ELNEC Training, Unit base Experience Leading Ascellon, LTCI, CARF surveys, experience with Staffing Methodology, Unit Budget, and Accustaff, and Change Management Certification.

Major Duties of the Nurse Manager, Community Living Center, include, but are not limited to: Provides first-line supervisory leadership and oversight of nursing personnel and daily operations within assigned Community Living Center units, including hospice, rehabilitation, short-term care, and long-term care services.

Maintains responsibility and accountability for 24/7 nursing operations, ensuring safe, timely, efficient, and Veteran-centered patient care in accordance with established nursing standards, VA policies, and regulatory requirements. Plans, organizes, directs, implements, and evaluates nursing care delivery to promote continuity of care, appropriate patient throughput, access to services, and effective discharge planning.

Manages staffing requirements, nursing assignments, employee schedules, and personnel resources to maintain appropriate staffing levels and meet patient-care needs. Provides oversight of fiscal and human resources, including Full-Time Employee Equivalent (FTEE) management, resource requests, and strategies to recruit and retain a qualified nursing workforce. Supervises and evaluates nursing personnel, including performance appraisals, competency assessments, coaching, counseling, and professional development.

Addresses employee conduct and performance concerns, facilitates conflict resolution, and promotes a professional work environment that supports teamwork, accountability, and employee engagement. Identifies staff education, orientation, training, and competency development needs and coordinates educational opportunities to enhance clinical knowledge, professional practice, and patient-care outcomes.

• Supports student nurses' clinical learning experiences and assists with the orientation and development of new Nurse Managers and nursing staff.
• Collaborates with physicians, nursing leadership, interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, and other Nurse Managers to coordinate patient care, resolve barriers, and improve clinical operations.
• Provides expert clinical leadership in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for Veterans with complex healthcare needs.
• Ensures nursing care is individualized and considers Veterans' age-specific, physical, psychosocial, developmental, and lifestyle needs.
• Monitors patient throughput, admissions, transfers, discharges, and care coordination processes to promote timely and appropriate movement of patients throughout the facility.
• Oversees the appropriate utilization, maintenance, and availability of equipment, supplies, and other resources necessary to support safe and effective patient care.
• Leads and participates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of nursing policies, procedures, protocols, and evidence-based care delivery models.
• Monitors and evaluates patient-care outcomes, patient satisfaction, employee safety, and quality indicators to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Leads unit-based, service-level, and organizational performance improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient safety, quality of care, efficiency, and Veteran satisfaction.

Applies advanced clinical knowledge, professional nursing standards, and evidence-based research to improve nursing practice and outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. Promotes a culture of high reliability, patient advocacy, ethical decision-making, and accountability while ensuring Veterans' rights, safety, and dignity are maintained. Maintains continuous accreditation readiness and ensures compliance with applicable Joint Commission, regulatory, VA, and organizational standards.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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: To be determined based on the needs of the service.

Work schedules may require flexibility, including rotation of tours or non-administrative tours, as established by the immediate supervisor. Telework: Ad-Hoc as determined by agency needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized