Clinical Nurse Specialist - Hematology/Oncology

This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount up to $200,000 and eligibility period one to five years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for assistance.

The Oncology, Special Procedures, Infusion Center CNS assumes the following major functions/duties expected of the role:
1. Collaborates with Nurse Manager (NM) and Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) Special Procedures/Infusion Center to provide clinical leadership for Special Procedures, and Infusion Center staff.
2. Facilitate, develop, coordinate, and collaborate orientation, clinical competencies and required educational directives with the Special Procedures and Infusion Center Unit Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager.
3. Facilitate, coordinate, and lead development and completion of initial competencies for Special Procedures, and Infusion Center nursing staff.
4. Facilitate, coordinate, and lead development and completion of ongoing competencies for the Special Procedures, Infusion Center nursing staff and nursing service as needed.
5. Coordinates, plans, implements and evaluates competencies specifically chemotherapy and hazardous drugs for non-chemotherapy competent staff. 6. Assists with simulation or other training as indicated for chemotherapy education and assessing chemotherapy competency.
7. Coordinates and provides Special Procedures, Infusion Center, and hospital wide oncology nursing educational programs and activities.
8. Mentors Special Procedures, Infusion Center, nursing staff and VASDHS staff to develop leadership and preceptor skills.
9. Uses advance clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making and evaluation outcomes.
10. Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities.
11. Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational process within area of expertise.
12. Collaborates with NMs and ANMs to disseminate accreditation standards and ensures staff compliance to assure area/unit meets accreditation standards and regulatory agency requirements.
13. Collaborates and participates with Special Procedures, Infusion Center nursing and VASDHS staff in the selection and process of performance measure improvement.
14. Leads nursing and interprofessional groups that address concerns related to cancer care.
15. Collaborates with the oncology team regarding policies, practice issues, medications, or procedures.
16. Provides direct or indirect care for patients in the Special Procedures/Infusion Center and for patients with a cancer diagnosis throughout VASDHS when appropriate.
17. Documents all direct patient care provided using CPRS, according to unit and facility policies and procedures.
18. Assist Nursing Education and Research leadership with evidence-based practice to VASDHS employees.
19. Completes electronic progress notes in a problem-oriented format.
20. Maintains mandatory and clinical competencies for the position including certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) from American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or from a VA-approved certifying body.
21. Coordinates with CNS group to provide orientation and cross-coverage for all inpatient and outpatient care units.
22. Consultant and coordinates clinical nursing practice. Provides clinical consultation to nurses caring for VASDHS oncology patients as needed including other departments and to other health care team members.
23. Serves as a consultant to all unit-based committees, and on other interdisciplinary task forces and committees as appropriate.
24. Assists with consultations as needed on policies and procedures.
25. Support Special Procedures/Infusion Center NM and Nursing Education nurse manager in the development of a strategic educational plan.
26. Participates and reviews Joint Patient Safety Reporting (JPSR), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Mock Tracers and sentinel events.
27. Provides instruction/mentoring/precepting for nursing students and graduate nursing students in the CNS role, DNP, or PhD as appropriate.

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, 0700-1530
Telework: Not Availabe
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact <VISN22HREducationReimbursementTeam@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) Basic Requirements

• Education. A post-master's certificate or masters or doctoral degree as a clinical nurse specialist. (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 CNS degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent CNS post-masters, 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.
• Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment.
  • License. All APN (CNSs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNS, or equivalent, in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
  • Certification. All APN (CNSs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty. Certification must be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), or another nationally recognized certifying body.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (CNS) 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 Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) II:
Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician Clinical Nurse Specialist on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)

• Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (CNSs); no experience is required.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (CNSs) at grade 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.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist) III:

• 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 (CNS) AND One year of specialized APN (CNS) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Dimension Requirement. APN (CNSs) 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Three or more years of recent and relevant clinical experience in Hematology and Oncology with educator experience. Skilled in administering IV therapies, managing chemotherapy, infection control and monitoring for complications in immunocompromised patients
• Oncology certification
• Strong leadership and knowledge of safety protocols with chemotherapy
• Advanced knowledge of methodology for conducting evidence-based research, data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide education, training, and direction to nursing staff, and to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees and outside agencies

Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental stability; Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations 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)

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.

• 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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.