Summary

The Nurse Educator is accountable for multiple facets of education, training and professional & organizational development within the larger strategy of promoting a learning culture across the system.

Duties

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The Nurse Educator is responsible for the development and coordination of comprehensive interprofessional education to promote quality education and competency management programs that include problem-prone, low-volume and high-risk knowledge and skills required based on the individual Nursing care area's scope of service. In collaboration with Nursing Education colleagues and Nurse Managers, the incumbent will assess, plan, design, implement, coordinate, and evaluate educational offerings to VANCHCS staff, assist colleagues across the system to assure NCHCS Nursing and other personnel, as necessary, receive the orientation, training, and ongoing education to assure safe, high quality care based on the scopes of service of each patient care unit and the personalized needs of the Veteran and his/her family. The Nurse Educator assists in the development and administration of simulation preceptor, transition-to-practice, health professional trainee, academic affiliation, and other programs. Proactive in initiation of computer-based training and other educational technologies for innovative approaches in training and education for Nursing staff at all levels. He/she is expected to exhibit leadership in professional Nursing by serving on committees, providing mentorship to professional Nurses, student Nurses and Nurse residents and contributes to his/her own ongoing self- development.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Maintains professional relationships with colleagues in the Nursing Education Department, Nursing Faculty and other personnel throughout the organization.
• Works closely with Nursing Education colleagues in East Bay and Sacramento Valley to develop and administer Nursing Education programs throughout the organization and is responsible for having a working knowledge of all active programs and the flexibility to travel to any NCHCS site to deliver education and training to Nursing personnel for all programs offered.
• Takes responsibility for leadership in the administration and operationalization of programs.
• Works closely with the Nurse Managers and staff on the units/clinics assigned, providing assistance and input to competency assignments, monthly tracking of competencies and development of annual Education Plans.
• Makes rounds and maintains high visibility on units/areas assigned, responding to requests of the Nurse Managers and staff, seeking issues that may require immediate training for individuals or groups, providing opportunities to set up Simulation on scenarios and provide on-the-spot training when necessary.
• Follows the Nurse Manager's tracking toward completion of assigned competencies and works consistently with Nurse Managers to stay on track.
• Embodies the highest level of professionalism, integrity and staff/Veteran confidentiality in all interactions, assuring Nurse Manager/staff/Veteran and Family confidence and satisfaction during all encounters with the VANCHCS Nursing Education Department.
• Assists or covers in the absence of other Clinical Nurse Educators when specifically requested.
• Consistently advises supervisor of any deviations from or issues arising in any of his/her assigned areas.
• Assumes patient care load when needed to ensure full operational needs of units and organization, such as being cross-trained during emergency surge operations.
• Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes.

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

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: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not 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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• 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

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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.

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/[redacted].

Grade/Level

Scope

Education

Nurse I, Level I

Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.

An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.

Nurse I, Level II

Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.

Nurse I, Level III

Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II

Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III

Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred Experience: Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN); Master's degree in Nursing or Education preferred. Minimum of 3 years recent experience as an OR nurse, providing direct perioperative patient care. Experience as a nurse educator, preceptor, or clinical instructor in a healthcare setting (minimum 1 year preferred). Demonstrated expertise in OR nursing procedures, sterile technique, surgical instruments, infection prevention, and patient safety standards. Proven ability to design, deliver, and evaluate educational programs, including orientation, skills training, and competency assessments for OR staff.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; able to teach and mentor OR nurses and multidisciplinary staff.
• Familiarity with evidence-based practice, adult learning principles, and instructional strategies.
• Experience with academic healthcare environment preferred.
• BLS and ACLS certification (instructor certification a plus).
• CNOR certification (Certified Nurse Operating Room) preferred.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; able to maintain records and evaluate program outcomes.
• Proficiency with computer-based learning tools, EMR systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local Registered Nurse physical standards.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

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.