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) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12987569
• 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 Experiences: 1-2 years experience in case management/ care coordination in the last 5 years
• 2-3 years Mental Health experience in the last 5 years
• BSN required
• MSN preferred Active BLS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• The BHIP RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Utilizes designated templates for CPRS for assigned department - and completes nursing notes in alignment with ANA Guidelines - Nursing Policy - and Nurse Competency training
• Functions as a Nurse care coordinator for designated BHIP team within Impact Unit - & service
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components
• Provides same-day access triage and assessment for 5150 in alignment with VHA and clinic policy
• Serves as a liaison for warm handoffs - as needed for psychiatric concerns and initiates referrals between mental health clinics - & Psychiatric Emergency Clinic (PEC) for urgent mental health needs including potential evaluation for acute Inpatient Mental health care
• Completes Clinical Reminders when due - and actively collaborates with treating/covering provider on required follow-up
• Manages secure messages for designated Providers
• Follows continuum of care agreements within Mental Health service and across services
• Facilitates Measurement-Based Care (MBC) in person - virtually or by telephone and discusses finding in the development of the treatment plan with the patient and treatment team
• Completes a Suicide risk assessment which each mental health encounter when the patient has not already been evaluated by another clinician in the same day
• Applies additional interventions in alignment with policy - and actively communicates with their team to mitigate risk and provide needed follow-up
• Completes a Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Screening (CSSRS) when due or indicated & applies additional interventions in alignment with VHA Policy
• Completes a Suicide Behavior Overdose Reports [SBOR] when the patient reports a behavior that is not already documented and that could increase the risk for suicide such as but not limited to attempted suicide or preparatory behaviors (hoarding medication or purchasing a lethal weapon with the intent to harm self)
• Communicates risk with Provider and Suicide Prevention Counselor (SPC)
• Completes a Suicide Safety Plan in alignment with policy and in the development of the treatment plan
• Utilizes Behavior Health Lab (BHL) Guidelines in the utilization of the BHL platform for the care coordination of patients
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care - patient and family education - patient self-management after discharge - and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction
• Considers all characteristics of the individual - including age and life stages - state of health - race and culture - values - and previous experiences
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and therapeutic interventions with patients
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• Conducts chart audits and takes remedial actions as designated by the Nurse Manger - Section Chief - or Associate Nurse Executive for Mental Health
• Completes Safe Patient Handling and Mobility training on hire and as designated by Nurse Manager - and Associate Nurse Executive of Mental Health
• Maintains appropriate level of PMDB per Nurse Manager and Associate Nurse Executive of Mental Health
• Provides preceptorship to new nurses and ongoing mentorship and education in the development of evidence-based practice
• Other duties as designed by the IMPACT Unit Co-Section Chiefs - ANE/Mental Health and/or Nurse Manager
• 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: Full Time
• Monday-Friday with tours between the hours of 0700-1800 Compressed/Flexible: N/A Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more