RN-Nurse Manager Acute Inpatient Mental Health

Summary The Inpatient Nurse Manager is responsible for the administration and evaluation of nursing care, program implementation, personnel management, and overall operations in an assigned Mental Health Program treating Veterans with mental illness and poly‑substance abuse. The Nurse Manager reports to the Chief Nurse for Mental Health. Qualifications English Language Proficiency – In accordance with 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 Nationally Accredited Nursing School – Must have graduated from a school of professional nursing approved by an appropriate accrediting agency (ACEN or CCNE) at the time the program was completed. Bridge Program Candidates – Individuals attending a master’s level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level in Nursing may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon completion of the bridge program. State Licensure – Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to permanent status after successful completion of the bridge program. Foreign Nursing Graduates – Possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree requires formal equivalency validation from a recognized agency such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception – Candidates who meet basic education requirements but do not possess required licensure may be appointed at the entry step on a 120‑day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure; may be extended up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis. Grade Determinations – The following scope, education, and dimension criteria must be met in determining grade assignment: Practice, Veteran/Patient‑Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, Evidence‑Based Practice/Research. Detailed requirements for each grade are available at Physical Requirements – Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Vision, hearing, or speech may be required depending on duties. Support may be provided via prosthesis or mechanical aid. The position includes duties normally performed by nurses such as direct patient care, extended standing, walking, lifting, bending, or kneeling. Examples: significant periods of standing, assisting patients with safe patient handling and mobility protocols. Duties Provides and supervises direct age‑specific nursing care on inpatient acute mental health units using the full nursing process and ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Oversees daily operations of the assigned inpatient units as the first‑line supervisory authority, including coverage for other Nurse Managers as needed. Directs and supervises orientation, ongoing training, competency validation, and performance evaluation for nursing staff, serving as a role model, educator, and supervisor. Coordinates care across the continuum with a focus on patient education, self‑management support, safety, and customer satisfaction for Veterans and their families. Leads unit‑based quality improvement, evidence‑based practice, and process‑improvement initiatives to enhance clinical outcomes, efficiency, and patient experience. Ensures compliance with VA Directives, policies, SOPs, and all applicable accreditation and regulatory standards, maintaining readiness for surveys and reviews. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to plan and evaluate care, remove barriers, and design or refine care delivery models and unit environment to support safe, accessible, cost‑effective care. Promotes and maintains a psychologically safe, supportive work environment that fosters professional development, high reliability, ethical practice, and I CARE values among staff. Manages disruptive or aggressive patient behavior using Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Containment – Level 3 techniques to maintain a safe milieu. Protects sensitive patient and institutional information in accordance with the Privacy Act, VA, and VHA computer security requirements, and fulfills other duties assigned by the supervisor. Benefits VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards; paid time off of 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays); traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions; insurance including health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care, and other federal programs that can be carried into retirement; one full and unrestricted state or territory license; work schedule 07:30 – 16:00, Monday to Friday. This position is not virtual. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs