Job Specification Details

Managerial and consultative work at a professional level for the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation in providing services to the State Board of Nursing and the State nursing community. Within limits of delegated authority, an incumbent carries out administrative, consultative and investigatory duties for the Board. Significant interaction occurs with the Board, schools of nursing, consumers of nursing services, regulated individuals, and the nursing community, including employers. Supervision is exercised over professional, clerical and temporary staff. Work is performed under the general direction of the Assistant Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

Manages the operational functions of the Vermont Board of Nursing in carrying out its public protection duties through licensure and enforcement.

Manages surveys for schools of nursing education and prepares comprehensive reports and approval recommendations for board consideration. Assigned staff evaluate areas such as curriculum, staff qualifications, school philosophy, student-teacher ratio, classroom and clinical experience, and the school's NCLEX test results.

Supervises the LNA coordinator who oversees LNA training and competency evaluation programs. Supervises the development and maintenance of training programs, competency evaluation, instate licensure, renewal, and disciplinary issues. Reviews re-entry programs for board approval. Works with the Board, OPR Staff, nurses, administering agencies, and employers to design refresher courses for nurses who require such training to acquire and retain licensure.

Evaluates applications of candidates for examinations, referring cases for further investigation as necessary. Advises applicants on requirements for licensure.

Reviews applications for endorsement from nurses currently registered in other states and other countries. Advises the nursing community and employers relative to proper nursing practice and ethics. Explains standards of practice and proper bounds of activity for all categories of licensure. Evaluates training and credentials of graduates of international nursing schools. Represents the Board at regional and national meetings.

Oversees the regulatory program licensing nursing home administrators.

Supervises and delegates office functions to three professional and clerical staff. Performs various speaking engagements on nursing practice and regulation in front of schools, associations, employers, and policy-makers.

Convenes ad hoc committees and reports on nursing standards and various issues affecting the profession.

Collaborates with General Counsel and management on significant areas of policy and procedure. Maintains knowledge of national and local trends, utilizing regulatory expertise to assess, initiate, recommend and support initiatives that offer evidentiary public protection.

Consults with the Board and the Director on the Board's budget, and maintains strong internal controls on cash handling. Is responsible for preparation of meeting minutes, agendas, and a variety of correspondence and informational materials. In the absence of the Director or Assistant Director, provides interim division management. Performs related duties as required.

Duties are performed largely in an office setting, but with significant needs to visit schools of nursing including clinical resources. Private means of transportation must be available for required travel. Some out-of-state travel may be necessary. Evening meetings may occur.

Considerable knowledge of nursing theory and practices.

Considerable knowledge of nursing education principles, practices, and content.

Considerable knowledge of current trends and issues within the nursing community.

Considerable knowledge of the standards of nursing practice.

Considerable knowledge of registration and licensure requirements generally applicable to the nursing profession.

Ability to evaluate the credentials of nurses and nursing candidates.

Ability to evaluate nursing education programs and courses.

Ability to prepare a variety of reports and recommendations, both written and oral.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to administer and supervise professional programs.

Master's degree in nursing from an approved school of nursing AND five (5) years or more of professional level work experience in nursing practice, including administration, teaching, or supervision in schools of nursing or health agencies.

Knowledge of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse credentialing requirements.

Possession of, or eligibility for, licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Vermont is required.