Registered Nurse-Outpatient Mental Health

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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). 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 the 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. 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 an 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 (e.g., 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 series 0610 and performing the duties 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. Associate degree (ADN) or diploma in nursing – 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 one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I, 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 two years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level II, or a BSN and one year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level II, or a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with 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 two years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or a master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or a doctoral degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience, or a doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and no 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 two 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 a 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. Preferred experience – two years experience in outpatient mental health, inpatient mental health, or substance‑abuse rehabilitation preferred. Previous experience in VHA preferred BSN/MSN preferred. Reference: Physical requirements – as VA policy, all selected applicants and employed personnel must be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to perform the duties. A pre‑placement physical examination is required for all full‑time, part‑time, and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The examination must be completed prior to appointment to determine physical and mental fitness. The examination will address physical and mental ability to satisfactorily perform the duties and will include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinct speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The position requires lifting at least 50 lbs. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on organizational needs. Must complete annual employee health requirements – such as annual influenza vaccination, TB screening or testing – as a condition of employment. Duties Grayson County VA Clinic – Clarkson – Kentucky is recruiting for a Registered Nurse – Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program. The outpatient mental health (MH) registered nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes. The psychiatric MH RN provides patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care and maintains self‑awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions. The MH RN facilitates care coordination, linking with inpatient MH units to facilitate continuity of care, conducting MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings, warm hand‑offs, and developing content as well as facilitating nurse‑led psychoeducational groups. The MH RN uses therapeutic communication techniques, practices de‑escalation techniques, utilizes recovery‑oriented language, and provides veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding illness, medications, and treatment plan. The MH RN reports and assists and/or directs safety‑concerning resolution and collaborates with program leadership to improve patient and program outcomes and directs team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The MH RN demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. The MH RN documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement‑based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care according to facility policy. The MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities, acts in the best interest of the patient, provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement, supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe‑quality nursing care, and fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards; 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays); traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % contributions by VA; insurance – federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs carried into retirement); licensure – one full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory; work schedule – Monday‑Friday 7:00 am‑3:30 pm; 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 – EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more permanent change of station (PCS): not authorized; pay schedule: NS95. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs