Summary

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines.

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/12944877
• 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: BSN in Nursing
• 2 to 3 years of mental health experience/adult population with mental health disorders MSN in Nursing
• Case Management Experience-Nationally Certified in Mental Health Nursing and/or Case Management Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs. - carrying objects up to 15 lbs. - frequent reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - hands and legs - walking and standing up to 8 hours - bending and climbing and able to hear whisper
• The incumbent must be physically - emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

Duties

• The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes
• The psychiatric MH RN executes their position duties by providing patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• The MH RN facilitates care coordination - linking with the Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care - MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings - warm hand-offs - and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• The MH RN uses therapeutic communication techniques - practices de-escalation techniques - utilizes recovery-oriented language - and provides Veterans - their family members - and/or significant others with education regarding their illness - medications - and treatment plan
• The MH RN reports and assists and/or directs safety concern resolution and collaborates with program leadership to help improve patient and program outcomes
• and directs team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies
• The MH RN executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex client care
• The MH RN documents nursing triage assessments - risk screens - measurement-based care tools - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care according to facility policy
• The MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• 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: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Work schedule subject to change due to the needs of the agency Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized