The Chief Nurse of Acute Inpatient Operations (CNAIO) provides assistance to the Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services/Deputy Nurse Executive (DADPCS/DNE) in guiding the overall management of the practice of nursing and the profession of nursing within VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHCS). The CNAIO is accountable for the clinical and administrative management of nursing practice within the assigned units/areas of responsibility at the VACCHCS. 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. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). 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. RN Licensure: 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. Preferred Experience: Current Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN). Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) provider care by American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN). Advanced skills in clinical, managerial, and mandatory competencies of the position. Significant planning and decision-making skills in managing resources, guiding multiple staff and professionals, as well as initiating performance improvement actions. Advanced leadership and direct supervision skills. Knowledge of current nursing practice and the roles and functions of patient care team members. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/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 extended 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. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Chief Nurse of Acute Inpatient Operations collaborates with the Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services/Deputy Nurse Executive (DADPCS/DNE) and with the Associate Director Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive (ADPCS/NE) on professional nursing issues and serves as an administrative resource for patient care activities, personnel management, organizational issues, and policy interpretation. Leadership of these diverse areas requires significant planning and decision-making skills in managing resources, guiding multiple staff and professionals, initiating performance improvement actions, facilitating communication across organizational boundaries, and participating in setting and achieving the VACCHCS and VISN 21 goals. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Assesses, plans, and evaluates the processes and daily operations, collaborating with the Deputy ADPCS/DNE to design and implement interdisciplinary programs within the service and health care system that support the overall operations of patient care. Provides administrative oversight for areas of responsibility, and covers other areas as assigned/delegated. Responds to internal and external communications, maintaining knowledge of and communicating standards of nursing practice and patient care, and developing systems to enhance overall operations and communications within the service. Reviews reports routinely, performance measures, and other data for trends and early intervention; formulates follow-up plans with the service and other services as necessary. Utilizes SIM tools in improvement efforts and has visual management presence in work area for tier checking and leaders standard work. Provides leadership and direct supervision to the Nurse Leaders under Inpatient Operations. Responsible for assessing and recommending the allocation of human and material resources, in determining staffing levels using NHPPD or other models, managing overtime, and plays a significant role in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff. Develops management leader standard work and standard operating procedures. Ensures processes are in place for continued accreditation readiness and participate in environment of care rounds to survey nursing units. Visible member of the Nursing leadership team. Prepares recurring professional reports. Works towards achievement of high quality, safety, and cost- effective evidence-based outcomes on a continual journey of a high reliability organization. Collaborates with both administrative and clinical services to monitor quality and safety within the service and Health Care system. Applies clinical performance improvement methods, collects outcome data related to policy, procedure, and regulatory compliance and in collaboration with other leaders, initiates performance improvement monitoring projects. Utilizes data and comparative analytical processes in recommending design and implementation of innovative programs to improve service excellence, customer satisfaction, and compliance to patient care and regulatory standards. Perform responsibilities as described in the facility Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) program as they apply to relevant environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders. Responsible to the Emergency Room (ER), Operating Room (OR), Same Day Procedure Unit (SDU), Post Anesthesia Care Unite (PACU) and the Sterile Processing (SPS) department. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 07:30 A.M. - 04:00 P.M.\nTelework: Not Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]