Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (PACT Float)

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.

A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner 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.

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 to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

Current, full, and active board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following : The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC);

The 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.

The required basic certification as a Nurse Practitioner must be identified in support of any position being established or filled as an APN (NP).

An approved list of NP / APN certifications may be found on the Office of Nursing site at the Office of Nursing Services.

Basic certification as a nurse practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment.

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure / certification.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it are subject to the provisions set forth in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, G6.

Preferred Experience and Certifications : Prescriptive Privileges (Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Number with DEA Licensure) : Current DEA number from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for Schedule II-V controlled substances with demonstration of meeting California State Board of Nursing requirements to prescribe controlled substances.

Full and current national certification as a Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or another nationally recognized certifying body Current Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card by American Heart Association At least one (1) year professional RNP experience 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 : This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

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

Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative / invasive procedures.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

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 annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.