Advanced Practice Nurse - Neurosurgery
Veterans Health Administration
Saint Louis, Missouri
- Eligibility
- APRN
- Unit
- Nurse
Saint Louis, Missouri
$125,634–$187,138/year
Ask Mira
Schedule and commitments
- Term
- Permanent
The work and the unit
- Specialty
- Nurse
Do you qualify?
- 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. Check your license
- License
- 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.
- License
- Two or more years (within the last 3 years), independent practice as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Neurosurgery or Orthopedic Surgery, with Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA).
- License
- 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.
- Certification
- 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.
- Certification
- Basic Certification.
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- Certification
- After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
- Also asks
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation.
- Also asks
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Also asks
- 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).
- Also asks
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Also asks
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Also asks
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
- Also asks
- 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.
- Also asks
- Preferred
- Also asks
- U. S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Also asks
- 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.
- Also asks
- Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Also asks
- English Language Proficiency.
- Also asks
- 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.
- Also asks
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Also asks
- Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.
- Also asks
- Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.
- Also asks
- All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
- Also asks
- You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications.…
What's around it?
Living costs about 9% below the US average
About this role
The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner practices in Surgery Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The NP provided advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. This Nurse Practitioner practice to the full extent of their education, training, and certification.
The Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. The NP will work in collaboration with neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other healthcare professionals to manage the care of patients with conditions such as brain tumors, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The role of the NNP is multifaceted, including patient assessment, diagnostic testing, treatment planning, and postoperative care.
Read the full posting
Duties and Responsibilities are, but not limited to: Advance assessment and diagnosis - conducting thorough patient evaluations, interpreting complex clinical data and making diagnoses for patients with neurological conditions Performs preoperative and postoperative assessments and postoperative wound care. Provides inpatient and ED consultation. Reviews outpatient consults for scheduling and completes EConsults Manages the Operating Room schedule to ensure patients are scheduled appropriately for surgery, preop testing is completed, and patients are optimized for surgery.
Completes disability paperwork as appropriate. Admits surgical patients post op. Manages patients care postop while patient is inpatient.
Completes hospital discharge summaries Diagnostic test ordering and interpretation: Ordering and interpreting advanced diagnostic tests like intracranial pressure monitoring, and advance imaging studies. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals: Consulting with specialist to optimize patient care. Patient and family
education
Providing comprehensive information and support to critically ill patients and their families regarding complex neurological conditions and treatment options. Complex procedures: Performs procedures Independently for which hold privileges for. Provides education to patients and their families.
Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. 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 through Friday, 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
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 and
Certification
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.
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. 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. Preferred
Experience
Two or more years (within the last 3 years), independent practice as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in Neurosurgery or Orthopedic Surgery, with Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA).
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification 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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/25/2026 to receive consideration.
To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13061167. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
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.…
How this role fits you
About the employer
Nationally the VA describes itself as the largest U.S. nurse employer, with more than 120,000 RNs, APNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants. The VA has said it is on pace to reduce staff by nearly 30,000 by the end of FY2025…
On your path
Advanced practice has its own path. Scope and independence depend on the role and state.
Worth asking
- How does the productivity or RVU formula work?
- Are there differentials or other recurring incentives?
More questions to askFewer questions
- Does the employer cover malpractice and tail coverage, plus CME, licensing, and DEA support?
- What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?