Summary

The Critical Care Nurse Educator is a professional registered nurse responsible for assessing - planning - implementing - coordinating - and evaluating educational programs that promote clinical competency - professional development - and evidence-based nursing practice. The Nurse Educator serves as an expert resource - mentor - consultant - and leader for nursing staff across all nursing services - ensuring the delivery of safe - high-quality - Veteran-centered care at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

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
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12977671
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: Three years of nursing experience
• Teaching experience
• Critical Care experience
• Master's Degree in Nursing Education or post maters certificate in nursing education or willingness to enroll in an MSN program or post master's certificate program
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications Grade 1 - Levels 1-3: $153 -887-$204 -663 annually Grade 2: $176 -969-$228 -000 annually Grade 3: $194 -665-$228 -000 annually Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• The position requires potentially - long periods of combined walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation - able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization
• The incumbent may be required to travel occasionally
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• Telework is position dependent and appropriate approvals are required
• telework is not guaranteed and incumbent must comply with all regulations relevant to telework agreements - policies - and processes
• If a position requires driving - incumbent is required to maintain compliance with all relevant policies and processes.

Duties

• The Nurse Educator role collaborates with nursing leadership - interdisciplinary teams - and academic partners to identify learning needs - support orientation and competency programs - and improve patient outcomes across the healthcare system
• Duties and Responsibilities include: Assess learning and competency needs of nursing staff through performance data - observations - regulatory requirements - and collaboration with leadership
• Design - develop - implement - and evaluate evidence-based educational programs - in-services - and continuing education activities
• Provide clinical instruction - training - and consultation for nurses and other healthcare staff in inpatient and outpatient settings
• Coordinate orientation programs for newly hired nurses and clinical staff and evaluate their progress during onboarding
• Develop individualized learning plans to address identified performance or competency gaps
• Conduct competency assessments - skills validations - return demonstrations - and performance evaluations
• Serve as a mentor - coach - preceptor - and role model for nursing staff - students - residents - and interdisciplinary team members
• Support nurse residency programs and facilitate educational activities using simulation - case studies - lectures - and other adult learning methodologies
• Serve as a trainer and consultant for the Resuscitation Education Initiative (REDI) and maintain certification as a Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor when required
• Monitor and track BLS - ACLS - and other mandatory certification compliance for staff
• Organize - facilitate - and evaluate mock codes - emergency preparedness drills - and resuscitation training programs
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve quality - patient safety - and clinical outcomes
• Promote evidence-based practice by reviewing current literature - identifying best practices - and recommending changes to clinical practice and documentation
• Assist with accreditation readiness and ensure compliance with VA - Joint Commission - and regulatory standards
• Analyze educational outcomes and competency data to evaluate program effectiveness and support performance improvement initiatives
• Participate in committees - workgroups - and organizational initiatives that support nursing excellence and Veteran care
• 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: Full-time - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized