Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Eureka VA Outpatient Clinic)

Summary

The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) at the Eureka VA Outpatient Clinic provides comprehensive, patient-centered primary care to a diverse Veteran population in an outpatient setting. Working within the VA's Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, the PCNP delivers high-quality, evidence-based care focused on disease prevention, health promotion, chronic disease management, and coordination of services across the continuum of care.

Duties

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***This position is located at a rural VA outpatient clinic and is eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive, subject to applicable approval requirements. The selectee will be required to sign and fulfill recruitment service agreement as a condition of receiving the incentive.

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 18, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 3, 2026 with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.**

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Major duties and responsibilities of the position:

• Provides comprehensive primary care to assigned Veterans across the lifespan in an outpatient setting.
• Performs detailed health histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic evaluations.
• Diagnoses, treats, and manages acute illnesses, chronic diseases, and complex medical conditions.
• Prescribes medications, durable medical equipment, and therapeutic interventions in accordance with VA policies and scope of practice.
• Orders, interprets, and follows up on laboratory tests, imaging studies, and diagnostic procedures.
• Provides preventive care services including health screenings, immunizations, and risk-factor modification.
• Delivers gender-specific and age-appropriate care, including women's health services as applicable.
• Manages pain, polypharmacy, and multiple comorbidities common in the Veteran population.
• Functions as a core provider within the PACT model, emphasizing continuity, access, and coordinated care.
• Collaborates closely with physicians, RNs, LVNs, pharmacists, social workers, mental health providers, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Participates in daily huddles, team meetings, and care planning activities.
• Coordinates referrals to specialty care and ensures appropriate follow-up and continuity of care.
• Utilizes care management and population health tools to monitor patient outcomes and panel performance.
• Provides care in a rural and geographically isolated setting, addressing access barriers for Veterans.
• Utilizes telehealth, virtual care, and clinical video visits to expand access when appropriate.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in managing a broad scope of practice due to limited local specialty resources.
• Documents all patient encounters accurately and timely in the VA electronic health record (CPRS).
• Ensures compliance with VA clinical practice guidelines, performance measures, and regulatory standards.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, peer review, and clinical performance monitoring.
• Maintains licensure, certification, and required VA training.
• Educates Veterans and their families on diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, and self-management strategies.
• Promotes VA Whole Health principles, preventive care, and lifestyle modification.
• Supports shared decision-making and Veteran-centered care.
• Practices independently within approved scope while seeking consultation as needed.
• Serves as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing staff and trainees as appropriate.
• Participates in clinic operations, policy development, and process improvement efforts.
• Upholds VA mission, values, and ethical standards in all aspects of care.

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards

Paid 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)

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; 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.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements

• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate 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).
  • NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), 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.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II:

Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. a7 405(c)(2)(B).

• Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.
• Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  
  • Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.
  • Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III:

• Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  
  • Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations.
  • Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork

Preferred Experience:

• One year of primary care nurse practitioner experience.

Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications

Grade 2: $156,511-$208,156 annually

Grade 3: $170,596-$226,883 annually

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially, long periods of combined walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization. The incumbent may be required to travel occasionally. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework is position dependent and appropriate approvals are required; telework is not guaranteed and incumbent must comply with all regulations relevant to telework agreements, policies, and processes. If a position requires driving, incumbent is required to maintain compliance with all relevant policies and processes.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.