The Inpatient Behavioral Clinic is looking for Behavioral Health (RN) to join our Team. RN will directly reports to the Nurse Manager or designee of the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit. He/She demonstrates competency in providing care for Veterans presenting behavioral health disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance dependence, and related medical conditions
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/12772499. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements:
The Inpatient Behavioral Health RN possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver patient care in accordance established facility and department safety policies and standard operating procedures, central directives, mandates from regulating bodies, legal statutes, and guidelines from the Office of Nursing Services (ONS). He/She adheres to the following practice and performance guidelines: Demonstrates proficiency in using the nursing process in providing care for Veterans in inpatient behavioral health. Initiates appropriate safety interventions when safety becomes a risk to staff and Veterans. Demonstrates competency in utilization of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB). Performs the role of a charge nurse. Guides and directs ancillary staff in adhering to safety practices and utilization of therapeutic communication skills while engaging Veterans and managing activities in the milieu. Acts as a client advocate in promoting safety, timely, and effective Veteran care. Utilizes recovery language while engaging Veterans to participate in their treatment plans. Delegates care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner including skill mix of staff and review of patient care acuity. Plans and organizes Veteran care including safety surveillance, clinical rounding of multidisciplinary team, peer collaborations to assure safe, efficient, and cost-effective care Seeks knowledge and skills appropriate to practice amongst her experienced peers, inpatient recovery nurse coordinator, behavioral health nurse educator, and other services to improve his/her performance. Participates effectively on daily multidisciplinary team rounding and recovery care discussions to plan and manage Veterans' treatment care planning from admission, discharge, and follow-up appointments to promote continuity of care Uses quality improvement findings to guide and direct own practice; implements ongoing educational plan to support safety and recovery-based care. This includes practice and safety guidelines outlined in the Inpatient Mental Health Services Handbook outlining recovery principles, environment safety guidelines outlined in the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC), recovery-based guidance to address Veteran centered care outlined in the Inpatient Mental Health Recovery Checklist from the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP). Shares knowledge and skills with colleagues and others. Identifies prioritized safety practices including identification of safety risks such as suicide, homicide, elopement, falls, and other disruptive behaviors. Participates actively on clinical team huddles and rounding to plan and implement timely safety interventions including the application of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB), responding to Code Green as an established safety emergency, therapeutic containment as deemed necessary, and medication management Completes timely documentations of patient care using and other patient care activities including facilitations of group programming adhering to clinical practice guidelines 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: Night shift, 19:45 PM- 08:15 AM Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized