Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health Staff

Summary At the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Rapid City - South Dakota - our outpatient mental health nurses play a vital role in supporting Veterans on their path to stability - recovery - and improved well-being. In this role - you will deliver compassionate - knowledge-based care while developing your clinical skills - building therapeutic relationships - and helping Veterans and their families navigate treatment with dignity and confidence. 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 Experience: Two years of Mental Health preferred but not required Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Duties As an outpatient mental health nurse - you will provide assessment - education - crisis support - and coordinated care that empowers Veterans to manage their health and thrive in their communities Working closely with an interdisciplinary team - you will help guide Veterans through their treatment plans - support their goals - and contribute to meaningful outcomes in a supportive - mission-driven environment Major Duties include - but are not limited to: - Assesses patients using appropriate mental health assessment tools - Provides crisis management - including crisis phone support and response to psychiatric and medical emergencies - Completes clinical reminders and psychosocial assessments as needed - Educates Veterans and families about illness - medications - and treatment plans - Conducts outreach to support treatment adherence and identify potential relapse - Coordinates with community agencies to connect Veterans with needed services - Refers to - consults with - and coordinates care with other Veterans Affairs (VA) providers - Assesses patients and offers additional support between mental health visits - Facilitates psycho-educational and support groups - Participates as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) 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: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. #J-18808-Ljbffr