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 to apply. 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 an 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 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 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 than 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 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 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 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Preferred experience: 1 year of mental health experience in any setting or 3 years of experience in a setting with mental health patients (e.g., Emergency Room or Primary Care). Physical requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation – see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions. The area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Duties include but are not limited to: Executes their position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care – maintaining self‑awareness while caring for patients living with mental‑health conditions – and managing the milieu. Facilitates shift reports, warm hand‑offs, and develops content as well as facilitates nurse‑led psychoeducational groups. Utilizes therapeutic communication techniques, practice de‑escalation techniques, and utilizes recovery‑oriented language. Actively participates in mental‑health interdisciplinary treatment team, mental‑health Environment of Care rounds, directs team response to psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and assists in safety‑concern resolution. Documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or 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 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 US State or territory; Work Schedule – Variable and rotating 12‑hour shifts, including weekends and holidays, subject to change based on needs of the facility; 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 – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs