Summary

Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills - Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on aga-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 members of the interdisciplinary team.

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/12962717
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses as potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - stooping - moderate lifting - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching Assisting patients and moving equipment - repeated bending - pushing - and/or pulling
• Significant amounts of time standing while assisting assigned patients
• Utilization of safe patient handing and mobility protocols
• Visual acuity and keen hearing Manual dexterity Possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to do personal protective clothing in isolation situations
• Operative/invasive procedures Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or mental health disorders
• Employee must complete employee health requirements as directed.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities of the Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse include - but are not limited to: The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric MH nursing practice
• The nurse gains awareness of the principles and goals of inpatient MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient-centered care - recovery-oriented principles - and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with MH conditions
• The nurse attends and observes nurse-led psychoeducational groups - uses therapeutic communication techniques - practices d-escalation techniques - and utilizes recovery-oriented language
• Participates in shift report and warm hand-off - MH interdisciplinary treatment team - MH Environment of Care rounds - and responds to psychiatric emergencies as directed
• They identify safety concerns and hazardous items to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment of care - and documents nursing assessments - nursing plan of care - patient safety observations - and environmental safety rounds in accordance with facility policy
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Seeks guidance on how to improve MH care provided to patients and families
• The nurse brings MH principles and theory with application of critical thinking skills
• The RN assesses - plans - implements and evaluates care with consideration of cultural characteristics - including age and life stages - state of health - race and culture - values and previous experiences
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Has oversight of licensed practical nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH interdisciplinary team
• Shares MH educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture
• The RN utilizes best practice in the assessment and management of Veterans at risk for suicide
• adheres to best practice when administering medication per established policies and guidelines
• and evaluates psychosocial functioning
• The RN acknowledges the Veteran's whole health by assessing what matters most to the Veteran and recommending complementary and integrative treatments
• They maintain education in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) - per the Workplace Behavior Risk Assessment (WBRA) and ensures documentation compliance in support of accreditation standards
• The nurse reports to the assigned Nurse Manager and works collaboratively within the team
• Responsible for participating within unit based and/or organizational level Shared Governance councils - utilizing clinical expertise - evidence-based practice - and knowledge to assist with finding solutions to problems or issues to improve the quality care provided to our veterans
• 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: 7:30am - 8:00pm rotating holidays/weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: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 (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized