Summary The Advanced Practice-Nurse Practitioner in Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Service provides a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. Provides advanced clinical practice, consultation and management. The Advanced Practice-Nurse Practitioner practices to the full extent of their education, training and certification. Responsibilities The Advanced Practice Nurse Nurse Practitioner - Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Service manages a panel of patients under a collaborative practice agreement in their area of specialty. Core functions may include but not limited too: Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic health care problems in a specialty or primary care setting, adult healthcare checkups, prescriptive authority, and consultative services, focused on health promotion, disease prevention and education of the Veterans and families. Leads and organizes delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice including access to care and discharge planning. Uses sound professional/clinical judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating nursing practice and organizational processes, based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Guides staff in the application of critical thinking and process improvement to improve patient care. Anticipates and recognizes medical/surgical/psychiatric emergencies and initiates and leads others to implement appropriate and timely actions. Uses advanced professional/clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision­ making and evaluating outcomes. Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities. Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. Guides, develops, and supports staff from a leadership perspective. Uses professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs/service activities. Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills in order to support the clinical staff nurse related to their assigned roles and responsibilities. Assists the clinical staff nurse to ensure to identify and manages problems safely and effectively, recognizing his/her scope of practice. Has a sense of urgency and takes the right action for the right reason (del Bueno). Accurately documents in the medical record patient findings, assessments, care provided and documentation is technically informative, complete, accurate, consistent, concise and timely. Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes. Revises interdisciplinary plan of care based upon on-going patient assessment and evaluation. Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy. Uses a systems redesign approach to identify, analyze systems and/or processes to improve patient outcomes. Cross train for scope of practice/privileging responsibilities that could include but are not limited to providing clinical coverage of the Acute Rehab Ward and/or any assigned clinical triage/assessments needed for PMRS pain clinic. Obtains, evaluates, and manages internal consults and external referrals for the Acute Rehab Ward. Manages program resources (financial, human, material, or informational) to facilitate safe, effective, and efficient care throughout the organization and beyond. Analyzes resources available and identifies risk areas, including budgetary, staffing, supplies, equipment, and availability/accuracy of data and information. 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, 7:30am - 4:00pm; other shifts based on the needs of the service. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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). NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. License and Certification: License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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 Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Education/Experience: A LIP with minimum of an APRN Associate Degree in Nursing. Eligible candidate must possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (RN) in a US State, Commonwealth, Territory or the District of Columbia. A minimum of one (3) year of successful Registered Nurse (RN) Nursing Experience/Clinical Practice required. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. Demonstrates sound judgment, nursing process and critical thinking skills. Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Knowledge of computer systems and standard software programs. Demonstrates skills in managing complex systems, with advanced organizational skills. Knowledge and understanding of Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) regulations/policies/procedures, current Joint Commission (JC) Standards, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and other current internal and external accrediting body standards. Demonstrates a pleasant and respectful disposition. Demonstrates the ability to respond in a positive manner with Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) Employees and Stakeholders. Physical Requirements: This position requires light lifting and carrying 15 under 15 pounds, reaching above shoulder, walking 2-4 hours, standing 2-6 hours, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception and hearing (aid permitted). Education Additional Information Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.