Full Time Mental Health Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (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 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications English Language Proficiency – In accordance with 38 U.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 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).

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 the 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.

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 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 State – Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., 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). 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 scenarios; 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; 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 and 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 a related field with a 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 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.

Preferred Experience: Two years experience as a Registered Nurse in Mental Health/Substance Use.

Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult – age 18 – to the elderly adult – age 65 and over.

James H Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility – serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients.

There is a large outpatient psychiatric population – with admissions for medical co‑morbidities.

This position requires visual acuity – keen hearing – clear distinctive speech – and manual dexterity.

The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

The RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium – dementia – or psychiatric disorders.

The RN must be a mature – flexible – sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations – able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required for all clinically‑active staff employed by JHQVAMC not identified for the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.

Duties Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) provides and leads the provision of competent, evidence‑based care – the psychiatric MH nurse independently provides patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care – milieu management – and maintains self‑awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions.

They facilitate shift reports – warm hand‑offs – and nurse‑led psychoeducational groups.

Use therapeutic communication techniques – practice de‑escalation techniques – and utilize recovery‑oriented language.

The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) RN actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team – MH Environment of Care rounds – assumes team lead for psychiatric emergencies – reports and assists in resolving safety concerns – and documents nursing assessments – nursing plan of care – patient safety observations – and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.

The RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.

Has oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants – as appropriate to the setting.

The RN will assist in directing the provision of nursing education – orientation – competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.

Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.

Contributes a professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH interdisciplinary team.

Supports colleagues through MH knowledge sharing to provide safe – quality nursing care.

Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence‑based care.

Supervisory Controls: The incumbent is responsible to the assigned rating and approving supervisors and is accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (AD PCS).

Dimensions of Nursing Practice: Leads professional practice using the nursing process (assessment – diagnosis – outcome identification – planning – implementation – and evaluation) to improve evidence‑based and/or data‑driven outcomes for an identified patient population and/or specialized areas within immediate practice setting.

Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team – at the expert level – with improved evidence‑based and/or data‑driven outcomes for the immediate practice setting.

Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring – precepting – and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting.

Customer Services Requirements: The incumbent meets the needs of the Veteran and as appropriate the Veteran’s family – caregiver and/or significant other – the Veteran’s representative – visitors to VA facilities – all VA staff and other customers while supporting VA missions.

The incumbent consistently communicates and treats the Veteran and as appropriate the Veteran’s family – caregiver and/or significant other – the Veteran’s representative – visitors to VA facilities – all VA staff – and other customers in a courteous – tactful – and respectful manner.

The incumbent provides the Veteran’s family – caregiver and/or significant other – the Veteran’s representative – visitors to VA facilities – all VA staff – and other customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.

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). Work Schedule: Full time – 7:30 am – 8:00 pm.

Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Learn more about Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.