Nurse Manager - Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU), Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

About the role

The Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU), Post Anesthesia Care Unit (ASU), Nursing Interventional Radiology (IR) Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology (Cath/EP) Lab Registered Nurse Manager (NM) is a professional RN who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

The NM is accountable for adhering to established policies, standards of care, and practice.

What you will do

• The Nurse Manager for ASU, PACU, Interventional Radiology (IR), and Cath/EP Lab reports to the Associate Nurse Executive for Perioperative Services and serves as the designated first-line supervisor with 24/7 accountability for safe, efficient, high-quality patient care.
• The Nurse Manager plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates clinical and administrative operations across four procedural care areas: Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), IR, and Cath/EP Lab.
• Responsibilities include coordinating nursing, technical, and support staff; managing patient flow and transitions of care; ensuring appropriate staffing based on patient acuity, complexity, and service needs; and optimizing use of personnel, supplies, equipment, and other system resources.
• The incumbent serves as a clinical and operational resource for staff and provides leadership grounded in evidence-based practice, current clinical recommendations, and applicable professional standards.
• The Nurse Manager collaborates with physicians, supervisors, nursing staff, patients and families, ancillary departments, and executive leadership to support coordinated perioperative and procedural care.
• Key responsibilities include: Providing clinical leadership in developing, implementing, revising, and enforcing nursing policies, procedures, standards of care, care-delivery models, clinical guidelines, and evidence-based protocols.
• Ensuring staff competence, completion of mandatory education and training, professional development, and ongoing assessment of educational needs and quality of nursing care.
• Supervising staff performance; completing performance appraisals; addressing performance concerns and disciplinary matters; maintaining competency records; and participating in recruitment, interviewing, reference checks, retention efforts, staffing methodology, and position-description development.
• Leading quality improvement, system redesign, Lean, rapid process improvement workgroups, peer reviews, and patient-safety initiatives to improve outcomes for Veterans.
• Monitoring and acting on quality and performance metrics, including SAIL, nurse-sensitive indicators, CAUTI, CLABSI, BCMA, workload data, patient event reports, and other operational and clinical measures.
• Analyzing occurrence reports, Joint Patient Safety Reports (JPSR), sentinel events, and other high-risk or problem-prone areas; implementing system improvements as appropriate.
• Collaborating with frontline staff and Unit Practice Councils to implement improvements based on staff feedback, including All-Employee Survey results.
• Maintaining compliance with VA requirements and applicable standards from The Joint Commission, CDC, AAMI, OSHA, ASPAN, AACN, ARIN, AMSN, ANA, and SICP.
• Managing daily operations, including timekeeping, labor maps, scheduling, emergency/disaster response, surgical scheduling, staff meetings, audits, Mock Tracers, TMS compliance, Environment of Care rounds, inspections, centralized temperature monitoring, reusable medical equipment oversight, and regulatory compliance.
• Overseeing supply and equipment needs, including supply-chain requests, implants, new equipment requests, and the department Equipment Inventory List.
• Supporting compliance with applicable union agreements in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Facilitating effective communication across departments and meeting regularly with medical staff to share information, resolve issues, and promote teamwork.
• Representing the department at required meetings and participating in professional-development activities aligned with VA mission, goals, and strategic priorities.
• Demonstrating ethical leadership, sound judgment, safe work practices, effective prioritization, proficient use of clinical and computer systems, and professional communication that promotes respect, cooperation, and teamwork.
• The Nurse Manager is expected to independently manage multiple priorities, identify and mitigate patient-care, safety, staffing, and resource risks, and promote an environment of accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional Veteran-centered care.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0630 - 1700; 8 hour tours Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 (***).
• 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 evaluation/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.

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.

Documents you must provide

• Resume The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

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.