A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive is approved. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: - BSN. - 1 year Mental Health Nursing. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Registered Nurse is responsible for duties serving in Behavioral Health that is a fast paced and provides care for patients. Each area requires excellent assessment skills and critical thinking ability. Must be able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions of patients and communicate effectively with other healthcare providers. Actively removes barriers through active collaboration with Chief Nurse Ambulatory Care Services and Nurse Manager, along with support services. The delivery of care is in accordance with established standards, hospital policies and procedures, and consistent with the plan of other health care providers. This position provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).Duties include, but aren't limited to: Provides services to patients with acute and/or chronic mental health and medical conditions. This population includes all ages of men and women. Assumes a leadership role and collaborate with other members of the Mental Health Services team in the screening and evaluation of Veterans, as well as serve as liaison and consultant to the inpatient, outpatient, and community agencies involved in the provision of care to the identified Veteran population. Provides leadership to other members of the interdisciplinary treatment teams in ensuring comprehensive planning and services for the population served, including individualized treatment plans. Provides in-office care delivery to identified Veterans and families, including comprehensive assessment and planning of needs. Coordinates and utilizes community resources. Responds to psychiatric crises, including assessment, formulation, and development of follow-up interventions of crisis plans. Demonstrates the application of the nursing process to utilize various strategies that promote and facilitate the Veteran to safely maintain self-efficacy and independence to the greatest extent possible. Safely administers medications. Demonstrates skill/knowledge and ability to perform treatments, procedures and utilize equipment appropriately. Provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner, respecting the values and beliefs of members of all cultures. Demonstrates understanding of Veteran rights. Understands and communicates facility performance measures and links individual staff performance to measures 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 to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay Table: NO3E"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.