Nurse

SummaryOutpatient Mental Health RN delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. 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. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.QualificationsBasic Requirements:English Language ProficiencyIn 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 EnglishGraduate 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 programUpon 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 programCredit 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 ColumbiaGraduate 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/certificationGrade 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 gradeThe 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/12815227Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competenciesAn Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing requiredNurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complexAn 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 requiredNurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planningSelf-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situationsAn ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experienceOR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experienceNurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with othersA BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experienceOR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experienceNurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice settingMSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR 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 IIIOR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR 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 degreesPreferred Experience: 1 year Mental Health experience 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 dexterityThis position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushingTransferring patient and objects may be requiredThe incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during proceduresThe incumbent may occasional be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe incumbent must be mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient.DutiesThe Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN): Pomotes personal growth and development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practiceGains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient-centered care - recovery-oriented principles - telemental health - community-based care - and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with MH conditionsAttends and participates in MH interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings - 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 planParticipates in warm hand-off - care coordination - liaising with Emergency Departments and Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care - and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directedDocuments nursing triage assessments - risk screens - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policyMaintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and acts in the best interest of the patientThe Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patientsThe MH RN will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultationThe psychiatric MH RN independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditionsThey facilitate warm hand-offs - telemental health care - and nurse-led psychoeducational groupsuse therapeutic communication techniques - practice de-escalation techniques - utilize recovery-oriented language - and provide Veterans - their family members - and/or significant others with education regarding their illness - medications - and treatment planThe MH RN actively participates in care coordination - liaising with Emergency Departments and Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care - MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directedThe MH RN reports and addresses safety concerns - documents nursing triage assessments - risk screens - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care - according to facility policyThe MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and acts in the best interest of the patientFosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionalsSupports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing careQuestions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based careVA 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: 7:30a - 4:00p Monday through Friday - 25% travel requiredWork schedule subject to change based on agency needTelework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.