Summary The Pre-Anesthesia Testing Clinic Nurse Practitioner works in the Pre-Anesthesia Testing Clinic (PAT) at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center under the supervision of the Director of the Pre­Anesthesia Testing Clinic. The incumbent will also collaborate with all levels of nursing, physician, and other health care staff in the management of patients who will be undergoing surgery. Responsibilities The purpose of this position is to ensure efficient service to the veteran population during the perioperative process. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate changes associated with varied populations and possess the ability to provide care based on physical, psychosocial, and cultural safety. Duties may change because of changing priorities or emergency situations. The incumbent works collaboratively in the Pre-Anesthesia Testing Clinic with Attending Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia Residents, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nurses, Surgeons, Physician Assistants, other Advanced Practice Nurses, as well as other medical specialists to gather the information needed to complete anesthesia preoperative assessments. The incumbent contacts their supervisor or the attending anesthesiologist to discuss patients with issues that need to be addressed prior to surgery. The Pre-Anesthesia Testing Clinic Nurse Practitioner's major role include but are not limited to: - Evaluating patients prior to surgery or any procedures involving anesthetic care - Ensuring that patients are seen in a timely manner - Performing preoperative history and physical examinations - Reviewing patient medical records including all pertinent labs, imaging, and diagnostic tests - Identifying potential at risk patients and communicates with the surgical service and primary care physician to coordinate any necessary preoperative testing or consultation services - Working with multidisciplinary healthcare team to coordinate necessary preoperative evaluation and optimization of pre-existing conditions in a timely manner so as not to delay planned procedures - Working closely with surgical scheduler to ensure that patients are scheduled appropriately for cases and all paperwork is completed as needed - Ensuring that supervising physician is aware of leave requests so that clinic coverage can be arranged - Ensuring that all encounter forms are completed at the time of the clinic visit - Ensuring that history and physical examinations are competed using the pre-anesthesia testing template - Discussing the risks and benefits of different types of anesthesia with patients and their families - Additional duties as required Work Schedule: 6:30am - 3:00pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 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 - Minimum of 3 years Professional Nursing experience. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Demonstrated leadership ability including self-direction, problem solving and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with all levels of staff throughout the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. 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 - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. 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.