Assistant Chief Nurse

Quick Facts

• Reports to: Chief Nurse / Ambulatory Care Nursing
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday 8-hour tours; occasional Saturdays as required
• Telework: Ad-hoc
• Virtual: Not a virtual position

Description

The Assistant Chief Nurse supports the Chief Nurse for Ambulatory Care Nursing by guiding and managing daily operations across Primary Care/Specialty Nursing. The role organizes, directs, integrates, and evaluates clinical, administrative, evaluative, and educative processes across assigned areas. Responsibilities include ensuring implementation of patient care policies, managing and coaching staff, developing programs, and monitoring quality metrics with formal tracking and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of Nursing Professional Development Practitioners/Nurse Educators and the nursing education program within Ambulatory Care Nursing
• Collaborate with inter-professional teams in strategic planning
• Lead quality improvement activities: monitor performance targets, develop and implement action plans
• Maintain formal tracking and reporting including: 2 Day Post Discharge, View Alert, HEDIS/Quality Metrics, V-Signals patient experience indicators/SHEP, SAIL
• Complete chart audits
• Perform staff development and evaluation
• Maintain constant state of survey readiness
• Ensure compliance with standards for reusable medical equipment throughout service
• Facilitate teamwork to achieve positive patient care outcomes and improve patient and staff satisfaction
• Maintain documented evidence of knowledge and skill in personnel matters, including recruitment and ongoing performance

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards
• Paid Time Off: 50 days per year (26 annual leave, 13 sick leave) plus 11 paid federal holidays
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions
• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory

Qualifications & Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (or appointment only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• English proficiency for basic written and spoken communication in direct patient care roles
• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) or an approved education/licensure pathway
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN licensure
• Background/security investigation required
• Selective Service registration required for eligible males
• Complete required onboarding and pre-employment documentation
• Seasonal influenza vaccination requirement
• Meets applicable physical requirements per VA Directive/Handbook 5019

Preferred Experience

• Minimum 5 years successful nursing practice
• At least 3 years of successful outpatient experience
• Minimum 3 years of successful management experience
• Documented experience in Quality Management and monitoring clinical outcomes
• Familiarity with healthcare quality standards such as Joint Commission and HEDIS
• Strong analytical skills to interpret, trend, and present clinical data
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Certifications

• ANCC Nurse Executive (NE-BC) or equivalent
• ACLS
• BLS