Summary

The Nurse Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) provides and leads the provision of competent - evidence-based care - the psychiatric MH nurse independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care - milieu management - and maintains self awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - 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 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)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• 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
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12937455
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: BSN preferred
• Mental Health experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical requirements for this position in accordance with HRML No
• 05-12-02 - Employment of People with Disabilities - Including Under Schedule A - 5 CFR 213.3102(u)
• Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over)
• Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over)
• Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both Hands required
• Walking (up to 6-8 hours)
• Standing (up to 4 hours)
• Sitting (up to 1 hour)
• Kneeling
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Both legs required
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Ability to hear whispered voice
• Emotional stability
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Duties

• Our facility is seeking individuals who possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work - a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program - and the ability to establish effective communication with patients - families - visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team
• Excellent communication and customer service skills are required
• The staff nurse is responsible to the Nurse Manager both clinically and administratively
• The primary responsibilities of this Registered Nurse may vary by assignment
• Those duties may include but not limited to: Provide population specific and age specific care for patients from young adulthood to older Veterans/groups in the senior years of life
• Manage a defined but dynamic caseload of patients in collaboration with an inter disciplinary healthcare team
• Documenting observations - assessments - and changes in patient's condition
• collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes
• providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems
• and accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards and functional statements of assigned grade
• Function as team members and coordinate and provide care for a select group of patients
• The requirements entail but are not limited to crisis intervention - teaching - medication management - administering medications - assessments - admissions - discharges - and follow-up care
• Also collaborates with patients to assess and identify needs - issues - care goals - and resources in critical factors for achieving desired outcomes for discharge from either Mental Health (MH) or Primary Care (PC) setting - post hospital recovery and health maintenance/wellness
• Additional duties include - but are not limited to: Supporting mental health Veterans for tele-mental health or on ground providers - using phone - face to face - and virtual contacts
• Providing backup coverage for walk in behavioral health clients needing urgent assessment and working with access providers to provide disposition of urgent or emergent mental health needs
• Maintains current knowledge of multidisciplinary resources - programs and services - referring patients for community resources as appropriate
• Assists with the navigation of health care systems and intervenes or refers as needed to facilitate the achievement of patient outcomes
• Enhances patient self-management by providing information regarding all options - choices - and resources
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe - efficient and cost-effective manner - using evidence-based principles
• Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights
• Guides others in the recognition of and participates in the resolution of ethical issues
• Provides for safety of at-risk patients awaiting evaluation or admission to acute psychiatry - by ensuring 1:1 observation is maintained at all times
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: PRN: determined by supervisor Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized