INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH REGISTERED NURSE

Summary

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 ineligible to apply.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties: 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. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Demonstrates specialized knowledge and is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components. Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. 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 de-escalation techniques, and utilizes recovery-oriented language. The nurse also 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. brings MH principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills Provides competent, evidence-based care, the psychiatric MH nurse provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care, milieu management, and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions. They facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups; use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language. The nurse actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, and psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. Questions MH clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care. The nurse will demonstrate the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities. The nurse demonstrates competence in MH practice and decision-making, deliberate planning, and critical thinking skills. The MH RN must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, Basic Life Support (BLS), Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI), Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors (PMDB), and Therapeutic Containment trainings as a condition of employment. Shares MH educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care. Provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. 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…

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/13092696. 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 equiv…