Summary
The Nurse V Regional Nursing Officer (RNO) serves as the senior nursing executive for the Health Service Area (HSA) with responsibility for complex nursing, clinical, and administrative matters that includes multiple VA medical facilities with varying levels of service complexity. The RNO provides strategic direction, organizational assessment, resource management, and the execution of mission-driven initiatives.
Duties
Duties include but not limited to: Leads, practices in, and monitors the outcomes of governance and organizational meetings within the assigned area of responsibility and provides recommendations that may have a direct and substantial effect on HSA and medical center operations. Applies knowledge of clinical systems, programs, nursing practice, and organizational priorities to support coordinated decision-making and Veteran and employee education. Provides executive oversight for nursing practice, sterile processing, and other assigned clinical or administrative services across the HSA. Analyzes nursing data, monitors nursing practice trends, identifies emerging issues, and provides expert consultation on care delivery and practice. Provides professional nursing oversight and support for performance appraisal review, development and revision of functional statements, and evaluation of practice. Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of guidance documents, including standard operating procedures and protocols, that support national policies and care delivery requirements. Represents and advocates for nursing at the regional level and advances standardized, evidence-based nursing practice across the HSA and associated medical facilities. Serves as a subject matter expert and consultant to HSA and facility leaders regarding nursing care delivery, professional practice, and the application of policy to clinical operations. Identifies opportunities to improve clinical and programmatic operations across the region and takes appropriate action to promote operational coordination, stabilization, alignment, and clarity across divisions, functions, and components. Collaborates with Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) leadership and teams to coordinate HSA engagement in the implementation and sustainment of Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) and other enterprise transformation initiatives. Facilitates integration and collaboration between nursing, other professional disciplines, and functional areas to achieve patient-centered care and organizational performance. Champions High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles and a culture of safety grounded in systems thinking, collective mindfulness, prevention, learning, and evidence-based health care solutions. Acts as a catalyst for change, promoting continuous improvement by fostering inquiry, innovation, data analyses, and translating evidence and research into practice. Supports compliance with applicable accreditation requirements, federal standards, and organizational expectations within the assigned scope of responsibility. Leads workforce and succession planning and promotes a healthy work environment through shared decision-making, professional development, psychological safety, and ongoing learning. Fosters a culture that supports optimized practice aligned with education, training, certification, and ICARE principles, with the goal of improving employee engagement, patient outcomes, and Veteran satisfaction. Collaborates with VA medical centers and associated facilities, other HSAs within the VISN, VISN leadership, the Medical Operations Center (MOC), Veterans Health Administration Central Office (VHACO), and other key stakeholders. Builds consensus and cooperation among HSA and facility leaders, communicates with transparency and integrity, and represents regional nursing priorities in varied forums. Through these relationships, the RNO advances coordinated implementation of nursing, clinical, and organizational priorities across the HSA. 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, 08:00am - 04:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc eligible Duty Location: Duty Location negotiable after selection. Location will fall within HSA 4.1 catchment area encompassing the following locations: Biloxi, MS Jackson, MS New Orleans, LA Pineville, LA Shreveport, LA Fayetteville, AR Little Rock, AR North Little Rock, AR Muskogee, OK Oklahoma City, OK Houston, TX Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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. 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.
Education
The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN), or Doctoral degree in Nursing must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
How you will be evaluated
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 as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. 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.