Summary

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for Registered Nurses to provide care to our Veterans within Mental Health Nursing. ***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Eligible applicants will be referred until all vacancies are filled.***

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/12812545
• 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: Mental Health Behavioral Health Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting 50 lbs and over (intermittently)
• Carrying up to 45 lbs (intermittently)
• Repeated bending
• Straight Pulling up to 45 lbs (intermittently)
• Straight Pushing up to 45 lbs (intermittently)
• Stooping (intermittently)
• Squatting (intermittently)
• Kneeling (occasionally)
• Use of both arms
• Use of both hands
• Use of fingers
• Overhead work - both arms (intermittently)
• Prolonged walking (up to 4 hours/day)
• Prolonged standing (up to 4 hours/day)
• Sitting (up to 2 hours/day)
• Far Vision - correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other
• Near Vision - correctable to read newsprint at 13-16 inches
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing - ability to hear and understand the spoken voice from a distance of 8 feet
• Ability to effectively utilize a stethoscope and distinguish breath and heart - and bowel sounds
• Emotional and mental stability - ability to effectively perform the essential functions of the position and respond appropriately in emergency situations.

Duties

• Mental Health staff nurses typically provide care to patients with complex - acute or chronic psychiatric conditions - patients with cognitive impairments and/or patients in acute withdrawal from substance abuse
• He/she is knowledgeable about the commitment process and all other legal issues surrounding care of the committed patient including elopement and the various levels of ground searches
• The Mental Health staff nurse is able to assess for the presence of suicidal and homicidal ideation and provide the appropriate level of observation
• The Mental Health staff nurse utilizes the nursing process when assessing - planning - implementing - evaluating - and documenting nursing care provided
• Performs basic physical - psychological and social assessments
• Demonstrates a beginning ability to identify and prioritize care needs
• Documents outcomes related to identified patient needs
• Evaluates the patient's response to nursing interventions revising the care plan with assistance as necessary
• Implements the plan of care
• Demonstrates accountability for management of patient assignment
• Demonstrates knowledge and/or required safety skills in area of assignment - to include emergency preparedness - hazardous materials - fire plan - equipment failure emergency plan and utility outage response procedures
• Documents nursing process including patient/family/significant other education and discharge planning in an accurate and timely manner (per policy)
• Administers and documents medications and treatments according to policy (as assigned)
• Implements nursing and physician orders in a timely and accurate manner
• Provides safe care and conserves resources effectively
• Conforms to professional standards of practice and complies with patient care standards
• This position will focus heavily on unit Charge Nurse assignment and duties - leading therapeutic groups and recovery-oriented programming but will also be flexible in staffing to meet the unit and facility's operational staffing coverage when needed
• 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: Sunday - Saturday 7:00AM-3:30PM - 7:00AM-7:30PM - or 7:00PM-7:30AM
• Hours may be rotated or extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized