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This position is eligible for the 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. 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. Learn more 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: On and after March 17, 2009, registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before March 17, 2009, who obtain such qualifications on or after March 17, 2009. 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: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) board certification Post-graduate residency training in psychiatric-mental health Training and experience to provide various evidence-based psychotherapy treatments Experience in coordinating care with an interdisciplinary treatment team Board certified/eligible in Psychiatry Performs clinical work describing human behavior, determining the reasons for the behavior and predicting and/or modifying the behavior. Performs clinical work describing human behavior, determining the reasons for that behavior and predicting and/or modifying the behavior. Performs psychiatric evaluations, and treatment of patients with problems of personality, emotional adjustment, or mental illness. Prescribes medications as deemed necessary for the treatment of mental illnesses. Promotes, supervises, and/or performs psychotherapy with patients, either through individual sessions or through group therapy sessions. Uses therapeutic techniques. Based on data gathered through assessments, plans an appropriate clinical treatment for individual patients. 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 - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years 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: Heavy lifting, 50 pounds & over. Heavy carrying, 50 pounds & over Straight pulling (1-2 hours), Pushing (1-2 hours), Walking (2-4 hours), Standing (2-6 hours) Use of fingers, Both hands required, Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously Near Vision correctable, Far Vision correctable, Depth perception, Hearing (aide permitted) Work closely with others, as well as, protracted or irregular hours of work, Use stretchers to transfer patients and use patient lifts, if applicable ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care Mental Health is part of a primary care team and functions in\na consultative as well as direct treatment role. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provide ongoing support to PACT teams. While the PCPs often provide routine medication initiation and management, in many instances, it may be preferable for the Nurse Practitioners/Advanced Practice Nurse to initiate medication and either treat to target or support PCP continuation of medication, either directly or by supervision of care management. Participate in same day access and other co-located collaborative duties with other staff as assigned by the service. Ensure ongoing availability for urgent or emergent mental health situations via same day service duties. Perform direct in-person or virtual assessments and treatment, when indicated. Provide diagnostic clarification. Serve as a liaison between PACT providers and other mental health providers working with PACT Veterans who are receiving ongoing services in general and subspecialty MH clinics. Appropriately communicate with primary care staff and attends primary care clinic meetings. Attend PACT huddles for informal consultation and education of the team. Bear overall responsibility for the MH treatment of the Veteran. Collaborate with the client/family to establish physical, mental, cultural and environmental factors that facilitate or impede realistic goals and activities. Determine potential needs for therapeutic changes, diagnostic workups or subspecialty consultation. Order and/or interpret appropriate laboratory tests, x-rays, and other relevant diagnostic studies and procedures. Provide follow-up for evaluation of outcomes of x-rays, laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures. Detect and evaluate any significant change in Veterans' condition, treating as indicated with current evidence based practice. Review medications for clinical need, simplification and possible drug-drug interactions and adjust as indicated. Prescribe, administer and review/evaluate Veteran's response to pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment regimens. Evaluate Veterans and manage mental health diagnoses according to the usual scope of care to include attention to maintenance of stable conditions, preventive health care and screening. Formulate diagnostic plans and therapeutic regimen. Assist Veterans to regain or improve their abilities to cope with states of health and illness. Provide education and counseling of the Veteran and the Veteran's family in preventive care, medical conditions and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday\nTelework: Hybrid Telework may be available for highly-qualified candidates\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact demetrius.roberts@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]