The nurse practices as the RN in the Outpatient Mental Health Programs. Patient populations include Veterans who presents with the full range of DSM-V mental disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders and substance use disorders. The RN functions as a part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals
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/12785530. 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: Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over, moderate lifting; straight pulling (6 hours); pushing ( 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (6 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (6 hours); Visual Acuity 20/30 corrected
Duties include but not limited to: Provide assessment, intervention services for patients enrolled in the Mental Health Clinic Document needs of outpatient mental health patients for both walk-in patients and phone triage; reassess patient changes Act as consultant in clinical practice Provide education for MHS (Mental Health Service) patients with interdisciplinary involvement Collaborate with clinical staff in assessing patients for medication side effects, medication compliance and coordinating requests for medication refills Manage intake databases, coordinate with other disciplines to correct scheduling issues to provide more efficient access to mental health services Based on education and experience, the nurse may be assigned responsibilities as a preceptor to nursing students and/or new employees. Will perform all other nursing duties as assigned. Provide coverage at times for Mental Health injection Nurse - administer long-acting anti-psychotic medications Floats as needed for coverage to: PACC - provides triage assessment and intervention services for patients who present to the PACC. Provides patient centered care interventions that include medication administration, suicide prevention interventions, education, and follow-up care for veterans requesting urgent mental health services due to a wide variety of psychiatric conditions ATC - provides direct patient care including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and clinical support; administer injectable medications, collect/order labs per SUD treatment protocols, and provide applicable psychosocial interventions. rTMS - provides care coordination of the Neuromodulation Therapy clinic treatments, including initial consultations, treatment visits for therapy, taper visits, and post-treatment follow-ups, and coordinating re-treatment series. Administer rTMS treatments or assist with ECT treatments and Es-ketamine treatment under supervision of attending provider. MHICM - Provides patient management, health promotion, care coordination, assistance and education with medication self-management, and discharge/disposition planning for inpatient and outpatient settings. Assists Veterans, family members, and caregivers with receiving the most appropriate options and services to meet their complex mental health and health care needs. Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2 years' experience in a Mental Health setting dealing with full range DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses National certification as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: (Part Time) Annual leave accrued at the rate of one (1) hour per every 10 hours in a paid status; Sick leave accrued at the rate of one (1) hours per every 20 hours in a paid status. 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: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m.-4:00p.m. (part time, 20 hours) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized