Registered Nurse Informatics

01Basic 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.

02Grade 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/13112967.

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.

03Preferred Experience

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), preferably with a specialization in Nursing or Health Informatics. Professional Certification: Certification such as NI-BC, CPHIMS, or other relevant informatics credentials. Project Management and Process Improvement: Proven experience contributing to healthcare projects, process improvement initiatives, change management, or achieving measurable outcomes.

Committee and Workgroup Participation: Active involvement in interdisciplinary committees or workgroups with documented contributions. Clinical and Technical Expertise: Established subject matter expertise in clinical workflows, health information systems, or departmental processes. Professional Communication: Strong ability to effectively communicate clinical, technical, and operational information both verbally and in writing.

Education and Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in delivering staff education, collecting stakeholder feedback, and evaluating outcomes. Workflow Analysis and Process Mapping: Skilled in assessing workflows, identifying opportunities for improvement, and creating workflow diagrams or process maps. Leadership and Initiative: Demonstrated capability to take initiative, influence colleagues, coordinate efforts, and lead improvements without formal leadership authority.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Physical Requirements

This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.

The Registered Nurse (RN) Informatics specialist within the Health Informatics department provides leadership, expertise, and innovative strategies in managing complex core informatics functions. These functions include content management, application support, health information technology system optimization, enterprise data management, business architecture management, partnership management, requirements management, and change management. This position is located at the Carl T.

Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center. The RN Informaticist is responsible for all aspects of the nursing process and actively contributes to positive outcomes through collaboration with interdisciplinary team members. This role is executed with demonstrated leadership, expertise, and innovative approaches while continuously evaluating current practices.

The RN is proficient in key informatics functions such as content management, application support, health IT system optimization, enterprise data management, business architecture management, partnership management, requirements management, and change management. The RN Informaticist provides leadership in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of hardware and software applications integrated with the electronic health record (EHR) and related systems.

This position requires collaboration with interdisciplinary team members, including program and service leaders at both the facility and network levels. The RN Informaticist fosters and maintains effective partnerships with Veterans Affairs (VA) staff across all levels nationwide.

They are accountable for documented outcomes at the program or service level, demonstrated through substantial and complex achievements recognized at the facility, Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN), or Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) levels, reflecting high performance and leadership that contribute to the success of the facility.

05Preferred Experience

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), preferably with a specialization in Nursing or Health Informatics. Professional Certification: Certification such as NI-BC, CPHIMS, or other relevant informatics credentials. Project Management and Process Improvement: Proven experience contributing to healthcare projects, process improvement initiatives, change management, or achieving measurable outcomes.

Committee and Workgroup Participation: Active involvement in interdisciplinary committees or workgroups with documented contributions. Clinical and Technical Expertise: Established subject matter expertise in clinical workflows, health information systems, or departmental processes. Professional Communication: Strong ability to effectively communicate clinical, technical, and operational information both verbally and in writing.

Education and Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in delivering staff education, collecting stakeholder feedback, and evaluating outcomes. Workflow Analysis and Process Mapping: Skilled in assessing workflows, identifying opportunities for improvement, and creating workflow diagrams or process maps. Leadership and Initiative: Demonstrated capability to take initiative, influence colleagues, coordinate efforts, and lead improvements without formal leadership authority.

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: 0730-1600 *The tour maybe adjusted to accommodate the needs of the facility or department.

Telework: Available Ad-hoc telework is occasional, non-routine, and performed only with prior approval. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized