Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Summary The VA New Mexico Healthcare System is seeking an Outpatient Registered Nurse to serve within our Nursing - Mental Health Department. They are responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process - including assessment - planning - implementation - and evaluation of age-specific care. Coordinates patient education and self-management - administers medications and procedures - collaborates with interdisciplinary teams - and demonstrates leadership in managing complex patient care. 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 base 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.) Preferred Experience: Some Mental Health Experience 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over) Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over) Straight pulling and pushing Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking and standing up to 8 hours Repeated bending Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Hearing aid permitted. Duties Major Duties and Responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Provides patient-centered - recovery-oriented nursing care to Veterans with a variety of mental health conditions in an outpatient setting Conducts comprehensive nursing assessments - triage evaluations - risk screenings - and develops individualized plans of care using evidence-based practices Coordinates care across the continuum by collaborating with inpatient mental health units - primary care - specialty services - and interdisciplinary treatment teams Facilitates seamless transitions of care through warm handoffs and effective communication with internal and external healthcare providers Leads and facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups focused on recovery - symptom management - wellness - and self-management strategies Utilizes therapeutic communication - trauma-informed care - recovery-oriented language - and de-escalation techniques to promote patient safety and engagement Educates Veterans - families - and caregivers regarding mental health conditions - medications - treatment plans - and available community and VA resources Responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies by initiating appropriate interventions and coordinating team responses to ensure patient safety Documents nursing assessments - clinical reminders - measurement-based care tools - risk assessments - and treatment plans in accordance with VA and facility policies Collaborates with program leadership and interdisciplinary teams to identify safety concerns - improve clinical processes - and enhance patient and program outcomes Serves as a clinical resource and mentor by providing constructive feedback - sharing knowledge - and supporting the professional growth of nursing colleagues Demonstrates leadership - sound clinical judgment - and accountability while maintaining professional boundaries and delivering high-quality - evidence-based mental health nursing care Preferred Experience: 1-2 years Mental Health Experience 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 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date 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 Contact View email address on click.appcast.io for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr