The Cardiology NP examines and assesses cardiology clinic outpatients and is responsible for participating in all aspects of care for the cardiology patient, some general medicine patients, cardiology telemedicine patients, and pacemaker and implantable cardiac defibrillator interrogation and programming. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience and Certifications - Three years of experience in the evaluation and understanding of GIM illness in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Significant experience in providing nursing services related to Cardiology or General Medical Care including Urgent Care. Maintains up-to-date licensing/certifications and specialty skills. Ability to furnish medications. Have a current DEA number from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for schedule II-V controlled substances. Two years of patient care management. Five years or more of successful nursing practice. BCLS certification required. Experience as a provider in an outpatient or inpatient cardiology setting is preferred. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: Moderate Lifting (15-25 lbs); Moderate Carrying (15-25 lbs); Straight Pulling {up to 2-3 Kneeling (up to 1-2 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable; Far vision correctable; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["Responsibilities include diagnosis, management, treatment, telephone consultation, patient triage, telemedicine, and cardiac device related problems. The Cardiology NP/PA works in close collaboration with Attending Cardiologists, Cardiology Fellows, other Cardiology RNPs, Cath/EP Lab RN's, and support staff. The incumbent will coordinate the delivery of complex Cardiac outpatient and inpatient care with other members of the health care team. The Nurse practitioner needs to work effectively with others, establish relationships with professional or other health related groups, performs duties as a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner in the Cardiology clinic, manages lab and study follow-up for the Cardiology Section. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Provide comprehensive guideline directed evidence-based care to patients with heart diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD) and structural heart interventions. Obtain health histories, perform physical exams, and document these findings in the medical record. Manages cardiology consults by reviewing, triaging and completing consults including electronic cardiology consults. Order appropriate diagnostic procedures and acts on results. Prescribes individualized pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for treatment of CAD and structural heart concerns and related medical problems for the promotion of quality of life, wellness, and improved outcomes as demonstrated by reduction of hospitalizations and/or urgent care visits. Educate patient, significant others and affiliated medical center staff on health care issues (i.e. medications, diet, lifestyle changes and follow up). Facilitate the completion of informed consents prior to the procedure. Admits and discharges patients to OBS units, outpatient or inpatient status post invasive/interventional cardiac procedures. Collaborates with the cardiology staff to arrange for safe and effective performance of planned procedures, i.e. including coronary angiograms, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its variants, computed tomography angiography (CTAs) and other related imaging procedures, structural heart disease interventions (e.g. percutaneous valve procedures, left atrial appendage device (LAAO) implant, patient foramen ovale (PFO) closures, closure of shunts and leaks, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). There will always be a need to learn and participate in managing new additional procedures that are periodically added to the program to enhance the care of veterans. Pre procedure evaluation including orders, H & P, and release from short stay post procedure, patient education and follow up appointments Is accessible to answer patient questions pre and post procedure in person, by phone call, or telemedicine if needed Act as consultant and resource to other departments within and outside of the medical center Independently see patients in clinic or other settings as required by program and patient requirements Ability to function independently in a busy cardiology setting. Develop, update, maintain, and provide cardiology education to patients, families, and significant others for the purpose of maximizing healthcare outcomes and promoting wellness Respond to and resolve interventional and structural heart consults via chart review, patient interview Maintenance of database of procedures for quality assurance Collaborate with multiple other disciplines including primary care, hospice, palliative care and nephrology. Maintain continuing medical education to keep up with standard of care practices in Cardiology VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay Schedule: NF97 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
