Registered Nurse - Chief Nurse, Surgical Services

Summary

The Chief Nurse‑Surgical Services functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor with a wide range of experience and leadership ability. Provides administrative oversight to the Operating Room, Post‑Anesthesia Care Unit, Same‑Day Surgery Unit, Gastrointestinal Clinic, Interventional Radiology, and Outpatient Specialty Care Clinics. Reports directly to the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services.

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency; per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) – a person shall serve in direct patient care positions only if proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a professional nursing school approved by the appropriate accrediting agency (ACEN or CCNE).
• OR individuals attending a master’s‑level bridge program in nursing, having completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level degree in Nursing, may 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 a 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 foreign‑school graduates: possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will suffice for an appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry‑level nursing education program.
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an 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 U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) exception: candidates who otherwise meet basic requirements but lack 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).
• Grandfathering provision:
  All persons currently employed in the VA in 0610 series and performing the duties described in the qualification standard on the effective date (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  ANCC certification as a Nurse Executive – Advanced – or CNOR.
• 3–5 years progressive management experience.
• Current leadership in Operating Room preferred.
• MSN:
  Students must meet scope, dimension, and education criteria for Nurse IV (see below).
• Doctoral degree in nursing or related field, with related experience criteria, also acceptable.
• Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
• Dimensions:
  Leadership, Business Acumen, Communication and Relationship Management, Professional and Social Responsibility.

• Physical Requirements:
  
  This position requires heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying, pulling hand over hand, pushing for one hour, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers (both hands required), walking for eight hours, standing for eight hours, repeated bending for two hours, both legs required, rapid mental and muscular coordination, far vision (correctable 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other), color discrimination, hearing (aid may be permitted), and prolonged sitting.

• Supports integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines to achieve patient‑centered and organizational goals.
• Champions a High Reliability Organization with a culture of safety founded on systems‑based prevention and collective mindfulness.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network.
• Works closely to establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of VA staff nationwide.
• Relates effectively with customers, families, and the community, as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels.
• Assists the Deputy Associate…