Nurse Practitioner - Clinical Care (SICU)

Summary The Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care (SICU) will work closely with surgical intensivists and other services to coordinate continuity of patient care services.

The incumbent assists resident physicians, nurses and trainees' in learning and functioning within the detailed guidelines of surgical critical patient care;

providing prompt and continuous care by assisting the ICU Director and the ICU Nurse manager with the coordination of patient flow into and out of the SICU and Progressive Care Unit.

Responsibilities VA St. Louis Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork.

We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

Duties include, but are not limited to : 1. Providing effective care to patients characterized using sound judgement in assessing, planning, implementing documenting and evaluating patient care for assigned patients.

2. Possess the skill and competency to obtain thorough medical histories, perform comprehensive physical examination, order appropriate diagnostic studies, interpret and analyze medical data, establish diagnoses, formulate and implement treatment plans and modify treatment plans when appropriate.

3. Work effectively and make appropriate requests for assistance from the assigned physician and recognizes complex patient care situations where referral is appropriate.

4. Knowledge of mechanical ventilation modalities and oxygen therapy, initiation and monitoring of weaning from mechanical ventilator support.

5. Placement or assistance in placement and management of peripheral and central intravenous catheters to include PICC-line placement, collection and interpretation of data derived from invasive cardiopulmonary monitors, formulation of system specific diagnostic and treatment plans.

6. Attend multi-disciplinary rounds on patients, write periodic progress notes, facilitate diagnostic and / or therapeutic interventions agreed upon by the consulting and consulted service, and maintain timely and effective communications with the requesting service.

7. Responsible and accountable for maintaining Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (Out of Operating Room Airway Management certification encouraged).

8. Perform a full range of administrative duties relative to the assignment. 9. Serve as a clinical preceptor for students or organizes and participate in facility clinical educational programs.

10. Communicates and collaborate affectively with other facility staff and outside institutions when applicable to the area of assignment.

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 : Compressed 12 hour tours, rotating nights and weekends.

Telework : Not authorized. Virtual : This is not a virtual position. 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.

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. Physical Requirements : The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over.

VASTLHCS is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients.

There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical co-morbidities.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.

Transferring patients and objects may be required. The physical requirements of this position include the following tasks which may be performed intermittently : lifting of up to 50 lbs.

3 hours), sitting (2 hours), standing (4 hours), walking (8 hours), climbing (1 hour), kneeling (3 hours), bending / stooping (3 hours), twisting (2 hours), pushing / pulling (6 hours), simple grasping (8 hours), fine manipulation (8 hours), reaching above the shoulder (4 hours), and operating machinery (8 hours).

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, vaccination for influenza and COV-SARS 2 as a condition of employment.

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 : 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 : Additional Information Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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.