Clinical Nurse Specialist - Critical Care

Overview

The Advanced Practice Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) practices in Critical Care within the Nursing Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The CNS provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The CNS practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position.

• The CNS APRN Critical Care assumes major functions/duties expected of the role, including clinical leadership for Critical Care nursing staff and development of a strategic educational plan.
• Develop, coordinate, facilitate and evaluate unit-based nursing service orientation, clinical competencies, and required educational directives for the Critical Care units.
• Maintain competency folders with quarterly reviews.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and lead development and completion of initial competencies for Critical Care Unit nursing service staff.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and lead development and completion of ongoing competencies for the Critical Care Unit nursing staff and nursing service as needed.
• Develop, coordinate, and provide Critical Care Unit education programs and activities, and hospital-wide critical care educational programs as appropriate.
• Develop nursing critical care standards of practice and serve as the critical care nursing consultant on clinical practice.
• Serve as the nursing consultant regarding critical care nursing policy and procedure development.
• Serve as the facility coordinator for AACN Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) online courses/education.
• Coordinate all research in the Critical Care units and mentor Critical Care staff in evidence-based practice projects.
• Provide leadership and facilitate evidence-based practice to VASDHS employees.
• Mentor Critical Care Unit nursing staff and VASDHS staff to develop leadership and preceptor skills.
• Disseminate accreditation standards and ensure staff compliance with The Joint Commission and other regulatory agency requirements.
• Use advanced clinical knowledge and judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluation of outcomes.
• Function as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Systematically evaluate current practice and formulate outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise.
• Collaborate and participate with Critical Care nursing staff and VASDHS staff in the selection and process of performance measure improvement.
• Provide direct and indirect care for patients in the Critical Care Units.
• Document all direct patient care provided using the electronic health record (EHR) according to unit and facility policies and procedures.
• Serve as a member of the VASDHS Critical Care Multidisciplinary Committee, Code Blue Committee, Rapid Response Committee, Clinical Nurse Specialist group, and Nursing Clinical Practice Committee; may serve as chair or co-chair as appropriate.
• Serve on Nursing Service and organization-wide committees as appropriate to facilitate continuity of care.
• Oversee and manage all emergency equipment (defibrillators, AEDs, code carts) for the Critical Care units and train Code Blue response teams and Critical Care unit nursing staff.
• Collaborate with other CNSs and the Code Blue Committee for oversight of facility-wide code blue equipment and supplies.
• Maintain mandatory and clinical competencies for the position, including certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or a VA-approved certifying body.
• Coordinate with the CNS group to provide orientation and cross-coverage for all inpatient and outpatient care units.

• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory.
• Certification:
  Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) from American Nurses Credentialing Center or VA-approved certifying body.
• Experience:
  
  Advanced practice, critical care, and leadership/education coordination experience as described in responsibilities.

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package including salary, paid time off, retirement, insurance, and professional benefits as described in the original posting.

Work Schedule:

Monday to Friday . Telework:
Not Available. Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized. PCS:
Not Authorized.