Summary
The Surgery Department Associate Chief Nurse is responsible for the clinical and administrative operations for all outpatient Surgical clinics. Surgery clinics include Dermatology, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Eye, Vascular, General Surgery, Colo-rectal, Plastics, ENT, Audiology, Dental, Urology, Radiation Oncology, Cardiothoracic, and Neurosurgery clinic.
Duties
The Surgery Associate Chief Nurse also supports, encourages and supervises the Administrative and clinical staff throughout the Surgery ICC. The Surgery Associate Chief Nurse supports, encourages and coordinates Surgery outreach to the Community Based Outreach Clinics.
Major Duties include but are not limited to:
- Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work.
- Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and the requirements of the assignments, and the capabilities of subordinates.
- Evaluating the performance of subordinates.
- Making recommendations for appointments, advancements, or reassignments of subordinates.
- Giving advice, counsel, or instruction to subordinate personnel on work and administrative matters.
- Hearing and resolving complaints of subordinates and referring more serious complaints not resolved to higher level supervisors.
- Recommending and/or taking disciplinary action where appropriate; and
- Identifying developmental and training needs of subordinates and providing or making provision for such development and training (VA Handbook 5007, Part III, Chapter 8).
- Facilitates a high functioning team of Administrative Support including MSA Supervisor, MSA Lead, AMSA, and clinical personnel who will systematically review processes regarding clinic operations, referral processes, and scheduling of patients according to VA scheduling Directives, and MVAHCS processes.
- Strives to ensure that clinics meet or exceed pertinent performance measures. Monitors performance and ensures clinical staff have the appropriate tools and resources to meet pertinent performance measures in collaboration with the Clinic Physician Leadership.
- Knowledge of VHA Directives, Handbooks, Memos, Business Rules and Performance Measures, MVAHCS Policies and Standard Operating Procedures and departmental Standard Operating procedures and policies. VHA Support Service Center (VSSC) and MVAHCS Data Cell Reports, Clinic Profile Management, DSS Identifiers, Consult Business Rules, and familiarity with Joint Commission Standards, Allocation Resource Center (ARC), VERA, Managerial Cost Accounting & Analytics (MCAA); Ensures that all programs are operated according to such policies, procedures and standards of performance.
- Evaluates and identifies the operational needs of the clinics on an annual or more frequent basis and forecasts the demand for services. Facilitates the procurement of essential equipment and supplies in collaboration with Physician Clinic Leadership.
- Develop and implement long and short-range strategic goals in conjunction with ICC leadership, forecast future needs and identify areas for further development and/or improvement of services; Identify trends and make recommendations regarding processes, policies, workflow, accessibility, quality/continuous improvement.
- Leads area specific tiered HRO huddles. Anticipates risks and takes action to mitigate risks, knows when to raise concerns to a higher level. Participates in the creation of the integrated organization wide capacity to continuously improve toward the goal of high reliability, predictability, prevention of harm, and standardization of best practices.
- Manages relationship with the local Union(s), Employee Labor and Relations (HR) and management. Has knowledge of the AFGE contract, management rights and follows processes for union notification and proposal when impact and implementation issues may arise.
- Manages Unit Time and Leave, is proficient with VATAS, develops a staffing plan, approves time and leave according to facility policies and demonstrates good organizational stewardship when approving OT, UT and CT.
- Occasional travel may be necessary to CBOCs for this position.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: ADHOC-May be authorized (Employee who Telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement).
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply online for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete online application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/02/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12739120.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
NOTE: If the deadline is missed to submit your application, please contact clarissa.baccam@va.gov to inquire on the process for submitting a late application. Applications will be accepted for consideration up until the point a selection has been made.
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.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.