Summary
This is an Open Continuous Announcement until 9/30/2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.
This announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies within all departments, all specialties, and at all locations covered by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
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Duties
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This announcement may be used to fill various positions. You must choose which duty location and specialty you wish to be considered for. You may select multiple duty locations and specialties, but you must select at least one when you apply. You will be considered for the duty location(s)/specialties that you select when you apply.
Note: There may not be any current vacancies at the time of this announcement, however, applicants may be considered for future vacancies that become available until the announcement closes.
Some positions/specialties may be eligible for
Education Debt Reduction Program (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 appointment. Program 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. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The NP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The NP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with the position. The NP has prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by their position.
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: Various work schedules available. Some positions may require rotating call coverage, weekdays, nights, weekends and/or holidays. The supervisor will determine the actual work schedule (FT, PT, Intermittent & the specific work shift) upon selection based on the needs of the organization.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized for certain specialties: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Ms. Demetrius Roberts, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Requirements
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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.
- 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.
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 Certification:
a) 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.
b) The required basic certification as a Nurse Practitioner must be identified in support of any position being established or filled as an APN (NP). An approved list of NP/APN certifications may be found on the Office of Nursing site at the Office of Nursing Services.
c) Basic certification as a nurse practitioner is a condition of employment and qualifying factor for the specific assignment.
d) APNs (NPs) are credentialed and privileged to provide care based upon scope of practice, formal graduate nursing educational preparation, certification and patient population. It is the focus of care based on patient care needs, not the care setting, that defines the provider's scope of practice and basic certification required. The scope of practice is determined by the provider's formal academic education and basic Nurse Practitioner certification. The assignment will either require a specific basic certification as a nurse practitioner, i.e., Mental Health, Women's Health, etc., or may allow for more than one basic nurse practitioner certification.
e) The APNs (NPs) may also hold a specialty certification which in many cases is not specific to a Nurse Practitioner role. Specialty certifications may be highly recommended but are not required as a condition of employment or required for an assignment and do not support the basic board certification nurse practitioner requirement.
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 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 (Nurse Practitioner) 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 (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
- Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) 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
Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. Physical requirements may vary depending on specialty.
- Light lifting (under 15 pounds)
- Light carrying (under 15 pounds)
- Use of fingers
- Walking (2 hours)
- Standing (2 hours)
- Sitting at a computer
Additional information
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal governm
