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) and eligibility period (one to five 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 Basic Requirements: English language proficiency – per 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 ACEN or CCNE at the time of program completion. 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) Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing with 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 with 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 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 level 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). 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 (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification. Preferred experience: 2–3 years clinical nursing mental health work experience. Grade determinations: The following scope, education, and dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates and the level within a grade. Practice, veteran/patient‑driven care, leadership, professional development, and evidence‑based practice/research dimensions are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: Grade/Level examples and requirements (summarized): Nurse I – Level I: fundamental knowledge‑based care with no additional professional nursing education required. Nurse I – Level II: integration of biopsychosocial concepts; 1 year of specialized nursing experience required or bachelor of science in nursing with no additional education. Nurse I – Level III: proficiency in practice based on conscious planning; 2 years professional nursing experience required. Nurse II: leadership in holistic care; 2 years professional nursing experience or an MSN with one year of specialized experience. Nurse III: leadership and creative management of complex client care; examples include an MSN with 2 years specialized experience or equivalent doctoral degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical requirements: Typical duties include walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, and kneeling. Potential exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Requires maturity, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs. Annual employee health requirements (e.g., TB screening) must be completed as a condition of employment. Duties: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care on the mental health inpatient unit. Execute duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes with patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care, maintaining self‑awareness while caring for patients with mental health conditions, and managing the milieu. Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of age‑specific care components. Coordinate care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administer medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes. Facilitate shift reports, warm hand‑offs, and develop nurse‑led psychoeducational groups. Use therapeutic communication techniques and de‑escalation strategies with recovery‑oriented language. Participate in mental health interdisciplinary treatment teams, environment of care rounds, direct response to psychiatric emergencies, and safety concern resolution. Document nursing assessments, plans of care, safety observations, and environmental safety rounds per facility policy. Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interest of patients. Perform other related duties as listed in the functional statement. Benefits and compensation: VA Nurse total rewards pay: competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards. Paid time off: 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays). Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA. Insurance: federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many programs transferable to retirement). Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory. Work schedule: full time, 7:45 pm‑8:15 am, 12‑hour night shift with rotating weekends/holidays. Telework: none. Virtual: not a virtual position. Relocation/recruitment incentives: not authorized. EDRP authorized; former participants ineligible for incentive. #J-18808-Ljbffr