Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program 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 - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 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 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 Experiences: 1-2 years experience in case management/ care coordination in the last 5 years
• 2-3 years Mental Health experience in the last 5 years
• BSN required
• MSN preferred Active BLS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: 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 inpatient 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
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• The BHIP RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Utilizes designated templates for CPRS for assigned department - and completes nursing notes in alignment with ANA Guidelines - Nursing Policy - and Nurse Competency training
• Functions as a Nurse care coordinator for designated BHIP team within Impact Unit - & service
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components
• Provides same-day access triage and assessment for 5150 in alignment with VHA and clinic policy
• Serves as a liaison for warm handoffs - as needed for psychiatric concerns and initiates referrals between mental health clinics - & Psychiatric Emergency Clinic (PEC) for urgent mental health needs including potential evaluation for acute Inpatient Mental health care
• Completes Clinical Reminders when due - and actively collaborates with treating/covering provider on required follow-up
• Manages secure messages for designated Providers
• Follows continuum of care agreements within Mental Health service and across services
• Facilitates Measurement-Based Care (MBC) in person - virtually or by telephone and discusses finding in the development of the treatment plan with the patient and treatment team
• Completes a Suicide risk assessment which each mental health encounter when the patient has not already been evaluated by another clinician in the same day
• Applies additional interventions in alignment with policy - and actively communicates with their team to mitigate risk and provide needed follow-up
• Completes a Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Screening (CSSRS) when due or indicated & applies additional interventions in alignment with VHA Policy
• Completes a Suicide Behavior Overdose Reports [SBOR] when the patient reports a behavior that is not already documented and that could increase the risk for suicide such as but not limited to attempted suicide or preparatory behaviors (hoarding medication or purchasing a lethal weapon with the intent to harm self)
• Communicates risk with Provider and Suicide Prevention Counselor (SPC)
• Completes a Suicide Safety Plan in alignment with policy and in the development of the treatment plan
• Utilizes Behavior Health Lab (BHL) Guidelines in the utilization of the BHL platform for the care coordination of patients
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care - patient and family education - patient self-management after discharge - and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction
• Considers all characteristics of the individual - including age and life stages - state of health - race and culture - values - and previous experiences
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and therapeutic interventions with patients
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• Conducts chart audits and takes remedial actions as designated by the Nurse Manger - Section Chief - or Associate Nurse Executive for Mental Health
• Completes Safe Patient Handling and Mobility training on hire and as designated by Nurse Manager - and Associate Nurse Executive of Mental Health
• Maintains appropriate level of PMDB per Nurse Manager and Associate Nurse Executive of Mental Health
• Provides preceptorship to new nurses and ongoing mentorship and education in the development of evidence-based practice
• Other duties as designed by the IMPACT Unit Co-Section Chiefs - ANE/Mental Health and/or Nurse Manager
• 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: Full Time
• Monday-Friday with tours between the hours of 0700-1800 Compressed/Flexible: N/A 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
• Learn more

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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