Summary

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.

Qualifications

Chief Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Anesthetist)

Basic Requirements:

• Education
• A masters or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia
• Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing anesthesia accredited by Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Licensure and Certification
• The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment
• License
• All APN (CNAs) must maintain an active - current - full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNA or equivalent - in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia
• Basic Certification
• All APN (CNAs) must maintain full and current certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) or an equivalent Nurse Anesthetist certification recognized by the COA
• NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (CNA) 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 Education - Experience - and Knowledge - Skills and Abilities must be met for Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) IV: Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (CNA) AND four years of APN (CNA) progressively responsible leadership assignments in clinical - administrative - educational and/or research related to CNA practice - one of which is specialized experience equivalent to the APN (CNA) III grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Must have the ability to perform long and short-term planning goals for their anesthesia department
• Chief APN (CNA) functions may include - but are not limited to - the following knowledge - skills - and abilities: Ability to assume progressive responsibility for planning - organizing - directing - and evaluating section and departmental processes and programs
• Ability to supervise staff - students or ancillary personnel and to ensure proper scheduling and staffing
• Skill to perform as a provider and mentor for unusually extensive and complex anesthetic cases
• Knowledge to participate in a continual audit of anesthesia care and to ensure periodic performance and professional practice (focused and ongoing) evaluation requirements are met
• Preferred Experience: At least 10 years of experience as a CRNA
• CRNA leadership experience
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 lbs) - light carrying (under 15 lbs) - use of fingers - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other - hearing (aid permitted) - emotional stability - mental stability
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are aggressive or combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• May be required to work closely with others or teams - or work in close proximity with others.

Duties

• Chief Nurse Anesthetist functions may include - but are not limited to the following: a
• Ability to perform scheduling and supervise staff - students - or ancillary personnel to include conducting performance evaluations in order to effectively execute responsibilities
• b
• Knowledge to accept substantial and continuing responsibility and accountability for planning - organizing - directing - and controlling an integrated program
• c
• Ability to serve on committee meetings - departmental reviews - problem-focused studies - problem solving - interventions - and process oversight in order to justify program goals and motivate assigned personnel
• d
• Skill in design and management of budget and cost benefit analysis in order to ensure optimal stewardship of resources
• e
• Ability to exercise independent judgment - perform tasks of unusual difficulty along special technical - supervisory - or administrative lines
• These practitioners may develop protocols of anesthesia practice
• f
• Ability to provide analytical techniques and problem solving related to drug interaction and pathological changes during the anesthesia course
• g
• Ability to provide leadership in the application of the nursing process to patient care - organization processes and/or systems - improving outcomes at the program or service level
• h
• Knowledge to participate in the audit of anesthesia care - recommending changes where indicated
• At this level - emphasis is placed on strategic planning and administrative/managerial responsibilities
• The Chief Nurse Anesthetist makes recommendations that may significantly affect the content - interpretation - or development of VA policies or programs concerning critical matters or major issues within the anesthesia arena
• They are assigned positions/studies where limited guidance exists as to the method of evaluation for the potential experience identified or - where possible - new experiences need to be identified
• Regularly provides anesthesia care in unusually extensive and complex surgical procedures that are of prolonged duration and involve high-risk patients - including development of individualized programs of post-op anesthesia care
• The Chief Nurse Anesthetist will be a first line supervisor and have administrative responsibility for anesthesia staff
• Nurse Anesthetists at this level must have the ability to perform long and short-term planning goals for their anesthesia department
• The Chief Nurse Anesthetist will communicate the mission - ethics - and goals of VHA and TVHS - and specifically the Anesthesiology Service within TVHS - as well as the focus statement of the department
• Will function as a departmental resource while promoting team functioning and representing the organization in a positive and professional manner
• Will effectively and consistently communicate administrative directives to personnel and encourage interactive departmental meetings and discussions
• Will participate in management activities including interviewing - hiring - and discipline
• Interpret and enforce Human Resources management policies in a consistent manner
• Resolve personnel concerns at the department level - utilizing the grievance process as necessary
• Recognize and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of self and staff while regularly coaching staff on their contribution to the mission of the agency and with their performance development
• Will schedule and adjust staffing - as appropriate - for fluctuations in workload in consultation with Chief of Anesthesiology
• Delegate appropriately to subordinates to share responsibilities for efficient departmental operations
• Will monitor the quality of anesthesia care
• Ensure retrospective - ongoing - and continuing evaluation of the quality of nurse anesthetist care rendered by CRNAs anywhere in the facility through the use of performance evaluations
• Address performance issues of any CRNA in a timely manner and inform the Chief of Anesthesiology Service of ongoing concerns
• Provide education to staff on performance and professional improvement
• Will attend departmental - organizational - and medical staff (as appropriate to departmental rules and regulations) committee meetings
• attend committee - TQI - and management meetings as assigned
• Develop and implement anesthesia specific policies and procedures in conjunction with the Chief of Anesthesiology Service
• Work closely with Lead Medical Instrument Technicians to recommend needed equipment to the Chief of Anesthesiology Service
• Will ensure CRNA documentation meets current standards and policies
• CA92 CRNA Pay Schedule VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the Service
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Sherry Miller - the EDRP Coordinator - at [email protected] for questions/assistance
• Learn more