Registered Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health

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 - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible. Qualifications 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: 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 Education/Experience: BSN Preferred Minimum 2 years experience working in the Behavioral Health field Certification in Mental Health Nursing a plus Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing Transferring patients and objects may be required Mechanical lifts are provided The 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 The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Duties Major Duties and Responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Provides direct - evidence-based nursing care to adult and geriatric Veterans on an inpatient mental health unit - integrating biopsychosocial principles to meet simple and complex patient needs Coordinates care across the continuum - including patient assessment - treatment planning - transition support - patient and family education - and discharge planning Conducts comprehensive nursing assessments - including evaluation of depression - suicidal ideation - aggressive or assaultive behavior - unpredictable behavior - and comorbid medical conditions Administers medications and procedures per policy and maintains accurate - timely documentation of assessments - interventions - and patient observations Establishes therapeutic nurse-patient relationships utilizing recovery-oriented - non-judgmental - and culturally sensitive communication and interventions Promotes and maintains a safe and therapeutic milieu identifies and reports safety hazards participates in Environment of Care rounds and follows emergency - infection control - and safety protocols Utilizes de-escalation techniques - therapeutic communication skills - and crisis intervention strategies in psychiatric emergencies Facilitates and/or supports therapeutic groups - psychoeducational classes - and structured patient activities promoting recovery and self-management Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams in developing patient-centered goals and evaluating outcomes Serves as a patient advocate - ensuring patient rights - autonomy - dignity - privacy - and safety are consistently upheld Provides age- and developmentally appropriate care considering cognitive - emotional - physical - and lifestyle factors across young adult - middle adult - and older adult populations Protects patient confidentiality under the Privacy Act - HIPAA - and VA information security requirements safeguards printed/electronic sensitive data and adheres to computer access policies Participates in unit-based performance improvement initiatives - quality and safety activities - and high-reliability organizational practices Maintains competence through participation in unit-based education - mandatory training - skills validation - and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification Assists in orienting new staff - participating in shared governance activities - and contributing to continuous accreditation readiness (TJC - OIG - CARF) Demonstrates physical ability to meet job demands - including transferring patients - prolonged standing/walking - and use of personal protective equipment May be required to work rotating shifts - weekends - holidays - or non-administrative tours in a 24/7 inpatient environment Performs other duties as assigned to support patient care - unit operations - and organizational mission 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: 12 hour shifts - 7:30am - 8:00pm - Weekends and Holidays 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 View email address on click.appcast.io for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required #J-18808-Ljbffr