Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 7, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 19, 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.

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

The PCNP functions with a high level of clinical autonomy while collaborating closely with physicians, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, clinical pharmacists, social workers, mental health providers, and other interdisciplinary team members. The role includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, prescribing, and ongoing management of acute and chronic conditions, with an emphasis on whole-health and Veteran-centered care.

Given the rural and geographically isolated setting of Eureka, the PCNP plays a critical role in ensuring access to timely, continuous primary care services, including telehealth and virtual care modalities when appropriate. The position requires strong clinical judgment, adaptability, and a commitment to serving Veterans in an underserved region while upholding VA standards of care, performance metrics, and regulatory requirements.

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.

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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• 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. Prescriptive privileges (Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Number) with a current DEA Licensure from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration for scheduled II-V controlled substances.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 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.