Summary

The Chief Nurse provides leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for nursing personnel throughout Mental Health Services. The Chief Nurse's Mental Health leadership crosses services and/or discipline lines as appropriate.

Qualifications

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
• The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Dimensions: Leadership
• Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices - industry-leading research - and innovative care models
• Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level
• Business Acumen
• Transforms health care by implementing new processes - technology - informatics - and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level
• Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle
• Employs an industry leading - shared decision-making lifestyle
• Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans - families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust - lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values - beliefs and practices at the program or services level
• Professional and Social Responsibility
• Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care - health advocacy and health equity
• Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level
• Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community
• Preferred Experience: 5+ years RN experience Experience in Mental Health/Psych services/Behavioral Health service Previous experience as a Chief Nurse of at the leadership / CNO position (Acting - Interim - or Permanent) Current/past leadership or manager experience with personnel management (performance plans/evaluations - organizational structures - EEO practices) Master's degree in nursing or a related field Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VANTHCS Policy related to physical requirements
• Moderate Lifting of 15-44 pounds - Light lifting under 15 pounds - Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds - Light carrying under 15 pounds - Pulling hand over hand for 8-12 hours - Pushing for 8-12 hours - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking 8-12 hours - Standing 8-12 hours - Kneeling 8 to 12 hours - Repeated bending for 8-12 hours - Climbing and use of both legs and arms - Both legs required - Near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4 - Ability to distinguish basic colors - Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• The focus of the Chief Nurse's Mental Health performance is assuring the provision of nursing excellence throughout Mental Health which encompasses a combination of clinical - educational - and administrative responsibilities for the inpatient units including but not limited to 2D-200
• 2D-300 - and the support staff for MH Quality and Education as well as the Clinical Nurse Liaison
• The Chief Nurse - Mental Health also provides nursing practice guidance and consultation to outpatient Mental health nursing personnel
• The duties and responsibilities for the position includes but are not limited to the following: The Chief Nurse for Mental Health provides leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for nursing personnel throughout VANTCHS Mental Health and Psych Services for Dallas - Bonham - Ft
• Worth - and Tyler - Texas
• The CN-MH functions as an administrator - educator - and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Services (PCS) and other services
• The CN-MH assumes an appropriate degree of responsibility regarding administrative and clinical issues - such as staffing coverage - granting leave - and patient and/or staff issues
• The CN-MH leadership crosses services and/or discipline lines as appropriate and works closely with the Patient Aligned Care Team and Specialty Service Managers
• The CN-MH is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and practices that support high-quality healthcare delivery Ensures polices are followed by Registered Nurses (RN) - Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) - Nursing Assistants (NA) - and or Health Care Technicians (HT) within Primary Care and Special Programs
• The incumbent consults and collaborates with VHA Program Offices - Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISN) staff - facility leadership teams - nurse executives - professional organizations - consumer groups - and stakeholders to address complex healthcare delivery and nursing practice issues for the VA North Texas Health Care System
• 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: Monday - Friday - 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This position is not part of the Bargaining unit.