Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. First consideration is given to current VA Saint Louis employees, Second consideration is given to current Agency employees, and Third consideration is given to Public applicants. Current VA employees should submit their most recent non-award SF-50 (01/11/2026 or later) to receive First or Second consideration. VHA HPT's are eligible to apply, must submit SF-50.

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The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) IV Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) Residency Program Director (RPD) executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or disciplines and influence the organization's mission and health care. The PCNP RPD practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. The PCNP RD leads the Nurse Practitioner Residency Program in Primary Care (NPPR-PC) to provide a supportive environment for nurse practitioners as they transition into their new role as licensed independent providers in primary care. The PCNP RPD is characterized as a senior level leader who is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification.

Major duties and responsibilities of the position:

• Responsible for the management, structure, and administration of the APN clinical trainee program.
• Ensure program compliance with the VA Office of Academic Affiliation (OAA) standards and accrediting bodies of sponsoring affiliated institutions while activities are being held at VA facilities.
• Develop, implement, and enhance APN clinical education training program.
• Precepting APNs.
• Setting up continuing education for local VA APNs.
• Participate in community health events.
• Serve as an APN Assistant or Coordinator in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) residency program or stipend program.
• Serve as a member or staff of an academic APN program.
• Coordinate the clinical educational needs of nurse practitioner students in Primary Care. This includes providing communication with academic affiliates and with nursing services to assist in the educational needs of these students for clinical placements.
• Coordinate resources to recruit, orient and assist preceptors who are taking either NP residents or students.
• Function as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with executive leadership, academic partners, interdisciplinary service leaders, and other clinical services/programs at the facility level..
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relates effectively with customers, families, and the community.
• Collaborate with Nurse Leaders, APNs, and interdisciplinary clinicians in carrying out the functions and activities of the residency program.
• Ensure the residency program aligns with the organizational mission of the facility, Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN) and VA.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of clinical practice.
• Lead and collaborates in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the administrative and clinical aspects of the residency program.

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 and Certification:
  • 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 Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty 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.
  • Board Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Obtain and maintain independent licenses and privilege for controlled substance prescriptive authority.

• Scope. Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.
• Education and Experience Requirement.
  • Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP)
  • Four years of APN (NP) experience, one of which is specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III
  • Meets all Nurse IV dimension requirements.
• Dimension Requirement.
  • Practice. Practices at an associate executive level, utilizing clinical, leadership and administrative skills, demonstrating continuing responsibility that influences the organizational mission, health care delivery and policy at the local and/or regional level.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads the application of clinical/business models, incorporating research/evidence-based practices, designed to achieve and sustain excellence in the delivery of health care at the service and organization levels.
  • Leadership. Creates and implements a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve organizational performance and attain measurable performance outcomes.
  • Professional Development. Establishes innovative, current and future healthcare delivery models, policy/regulation and governance to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, improving health outcomes.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Facilitates effective relationship management, communication, customer service experiences and negotiation across lifestyles using a broad range of technology platforms to influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond.

• Primary Care experience with teaching component.

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.