Career Center

The Mental Health Service Line is recruiting for (1) Nurse Practitioner (NP) certified in Mental Health. The NP provides treatment services regarding mental health disorders and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) across the spectrum. The settings include, but are not limited to, emergent outpatient, Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and rural community referral. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience: Nurse Practitioner certified in Mental Health providing dual diagnosis for substance disorder and psychiatric care Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds, light carrying, under 15 pounds, use of fingers, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability. Environmental Factors: outside and inside, working closley with others and working alone. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures or home-settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or COVID testing, Flu vaccine as a condition of employment. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards ***This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2022 or until the position is filled, whichever occurs first. Qualified Applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. All applicants may receive consideration for 3 months from the date of application. If you wish to be considered after that period, and the announcement is still open to receive applications, you must re-apply to indicate your continued interest.*** The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for the care of patients in Behavioral Health including completing biopsychosocial assessments, diagnosis, prescribing treatment modalities, and providing comprehensive prevention and wellness care, as well as the spectrum of acute, episodic, and chronic mental health care to veterans. The primary duties for this position include but not limited to: Collects and synthesizes patient data utilizing critical thinking skills to formulate a comprehensive plan of care. He/she consults with a variety of services, coordinating care to meet patient needs. Provides dual diagnosis for psychological assessment and medication management to a wide range of Veteran populations, across treatment settings, and for a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including cognitive impairment. Uses measurement-based care in diagnostic decision making, PCMHI and SUD treatment planning, and other decision making. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including a commitment to use evidence-based psychotherapies for a wide range of mental health disorders delivered via group and individual psychotherapy modalities, face to face, and via telemedicine equipment. Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Ensures timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Holds prescriptive authority and provides care for an identified patient panel in collaboration with a physician. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient selfmanagement after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Teaches health promotion and disease prevention to patients. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Conducts physical examinations. Prescribes medications. Orders diagnostic testing as appropriate to evaluate patients undergoing consultation. Provides patient education regarding diagnosis and treatment plans. Communicates findings through documentation and consultation as needed. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience & creative approaches to management of complex client care. Works collaboratively with many disciplines to provide care, including physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, dietitians, social workers, clerical and administrative staff, community agencies and others as appropriate. Participates in interdisciplinary teams that focus on improving care processes. May serve as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for a panel of Veterans. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]