Nurse Practitioner (Cardiology)

Summary

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) serves in Specialty Care/Cardiology, providing Veteran-centered, evidence-based cardiology care with strong team-based collaboration, consultation, and patient management. The NP practices to the full extent of education, training, and certification, with responsibilities defined by approved clinical privileges supporting the VA mission. This role enhances coordinated Veteran care across cardiology teams. It strengthens quality outcomes for all of VA.

Duties

The Cardiology Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice provider responsible for delivering high-quality, evidence-based cardiovascular care to Veterans within the Cardiology Service. The NP functions as an independent practitioner, providing comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of acute and chronic cardiac conditions. The NP collaborates closely with cardiologists and the interdisciplinary heart care team to improve patient outcomes, promote heart-healthy lifestyles, and reduce cardiovascular risk across the Veteran population. The NP is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: Independently manages a panel of Veterans with cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, valvular disorders, hypertension, and related comorbidities. Conducts comprehensive cardiac-focused assessments, including history, physical examination, and evaluation of cardiac symptoms. Develops, implements, and routinely evaluates individualized care plans to optimize cardiac health and promote disease prevention and risk reduction. Orders, interprets, and evaluates cardiac-specific diagnostic testing such as EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, lipid panels, and other relevant studies. Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies in alignment with clinical guidelines and scope of practice, including management of cardiac medications. Initiates referrals and consults to specialty areas such as electrophysiology, heart failure programs, cardiac rehabilitation, and vascular services. Provides patient and family education on cardiac conditions, medication adherence, lifestyle modification, and self-management strategies. Demonstrates leadership within the cardiology care team and collaborates with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other disciplines to ensure coordinated, high-quality care. Adjusts treatment plans based on patient response, clinical findings, and evolving health needs to optimize cardiovascular outcomes. Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. Preferred Experienced: Cardiology 3-5 years experience. 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 7:30am-4pm or 8:00-4:30pm; Subject to change based on agency needs Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) 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. 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. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) 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 (Nurse Practitioner) 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 - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(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 (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 collabora