Summary The Spinal Cord Injury Unit Assistant Nurse Manager is a professional RN who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. He/she is accountable for adhering to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. This RN demonstrates leadership when providing and improving patient care. The incumbent reports directly to the Spinal Cord Injury Nurse Manager. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The major responsibilities include: Assists the SCI Nurse manager in managing the roles and responsibilities of SCI nursing staff and the day-to-day operations of the SCI unit. Represents the Spinal Cord Injury unit in meetings in the absence of NM. Requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital. Functions in the role as a Charge Nurse, front line, resource staff when department needs require. Attends all mandatory trainings and ensures staff are current in their mandatory trainings. Actively participates in and supports Shared Governance and Relationship Based Care and related activities at the department level. Collaborates with managers/and or front-line staff/Unit Practice Councils (UPCs) to implement changes in the unit or clinic processes related to feedback from the All-Employee Survey (AES). Improve care delivery outcomes for the veteran population and identify system improvement opportunities. Participates in and supports system redesign projects and Lean thinking to positively impact the service and organization. Proactively makes leadership choices to prioritize Veteran-Centered needs, operate within allocated resources and takes the initiative to find solutions to operational challenges. Maintains knowledge and understanding of Joint Commission and CARF requirements and ensures compliance with VA, JC, CARF and OSHA standards. Executes position responsibilities and creative approaches to management of complex patient care flow issues in conjunction with appropriate safe daily nurse staffing according to nurse to patient ratio standards, Nursing Hours Per Patient Day (NHPPD), and in concordance with the VASDHS' Staffing Plan/s. Provide leadership, organization, and coordination of employees and resources to meet patient needs. Maintains knowledge of specific performance results and metrics such as Strategic Analytics for Improvement Learning (SAIL), Nurse Sensitive Indicators (NDNQI), The Joint Commission Accountability Measures (ORYX). Provides leadership, organization, and coordination of employees and resources to meet patient needs. Supervises and coordinates patient care flow and efficiency and is accountable for all flow metrics. Organizes and leads staff meetings. Provides input to the NM in the development and evaluating performance and competency of employees. Collaborates with the inter-professional team to improve clinic/unit efficiency and delivery of patient care. Assists the NM and CNS in the development, organization, implementation, and/or maintenance of the orientation and competencies for SCI employees. Assists NM and CNS in creating and revising unit policies and standard operating procedures as indicated. Assists the NM with maintaining and signing timecards. Assists the NM with completion of Patient Event Reports, PATR complaints, FMLA, and Reasonable Accommodations. Responsible for creating the staff schedule, on-going staffing request changes and ongoing maintenance to ensure adequate staffing. Serves as a mentor/role model for staff and students as they pursue leadership development and clinical expertise. Exemplifies strong interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem-solving with all levels of management and staff, consultants and outside agencies. Demonstrates analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions. Works effectively with others by resolving conflicts and assisting others to cope with stressful situations. Performs other duties as assigned. Preferred Experience: Leadership/Manager experience, Spinal Cord Injury experience Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/31/2025. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. For foreign education equivalency the only certifying body the VA recognizes is CGFNS and its' subsidiary, International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Without certification of BSN-equivalency, the VA can only consider the degree at the associates level and pay will be determined accordingly. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information