Registered Nurse

Summary
Mental Health Nursing is looking for a Registered Nurse to join the 7 South/Inpatient Mental Health team. The Registered Nurse 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.

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:
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

Physical Requirements:
This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech and manual dexterity
This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing
Transferring patients and objects my be required
The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and my be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings
The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
The incumbent must be capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs
Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment

The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA vehicles.

Duties "Duties include but are not limited to: Attends and observes nurse-led psychoeducational groups, uses therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-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 & medical emergencies as directed.

Identifies 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.

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.

Plans and delivers knowledge based care to Veterans in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice by establishing a trust-based nurse/Veteran rapport.

Works with close supervision, is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and seeks direction from others as needed.

Manages workload as assigned, organizes, and completes own assignments in an efficient and appropriate manner.
Other duties as assigned.
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:

including an additional 8-hour shift per pay period, including weekends and holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required"

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