Inpatient MH Registered Nurse

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval and award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Qualifications English Language Proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless 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 of completion of the program: 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 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 a 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 appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry‑level nursing education program Credit for foreign nursing education higher than associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized evaluators accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) 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: 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 needs 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 and 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 a 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 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 experiences: 2‑3 years of MH acute care experience in the last 5 years Active BLS BSN reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical requirements: visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity required Position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing Transferring patients and objects may be required Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided Incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations – operative/invasive procedures – or home settings Incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders Incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations – able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Duties RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Mental Health Unit RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care In addition to the dimensions of nursing – the IU#1 nurse is responsible for: functioning as a team member – care coordinator – team leader or unit charge nurse for assigned area as determined by Nurse Manager or designee Assessing – planning – implementing – and evaluating care based on age‑specific components Performing required admission and ongoing screenings – clinical reminders – risk assessment while evaluating and initiating appropriate interventions Assuming responsibility – as appropriate – for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care – patient and family education – patient self‑management prior to and after discharge – and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction Considering all characteristics of the individual – including age and life stages – state of health – race and culture – values – and previous experiences Demonstrating effective interpersonal skills and therapeutic interventions/communication with patients Administering medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines Influencing care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team Understanding core elements of performance improvement, including knowledge and active participation in unit/program‑level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs Performing nursing admission assessments and initiating nursing‑based mental health treatment plans Conducting data collections – chart audits and taking remedial actions as indicated or directed by nursing leadership Participating in Code Green/Code Blue/Code Red team activities Other responsibilities include any duties as defined by VHA or local directives such as assisting with the completion of outstanding or required clinical reminders and Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale (C‑SSRS)/or SI evaluation as indicated – Suicide Behavior and Overdose Reports (SBOR) – and safety plans as they become due, needed, or indicated per veteran’s need Maintaining a Pro‑ACT certification (acute & intensive MH programs only) and PMDB (level as defined by leadership) Other duties as designed by the IMPACT Unit Co‑Section Chiefs and/or ANE/Mental Health which includes cross coverage in all programs in IU#1 Benefits 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 401(K) 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 U.S. state or territory Work schedule: full time Tour of duty: various – including nights – days and weekends (to be confirmed during the interview) Telework: not available Virtual: this is not a virtual position Relocation/recruitment incentives: not authorized EDRP authorized: former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Permanent change of station (PCS): not authorized EDRP Eligibility Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) is available to eligible candidates only. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval and award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (1–5 years) will be determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former participants are not eligible. #J-18808-Ljbffr