Summary

James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital is seeking Registered Nurses for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). These RNs provide evidence-based mental health care - including assessment - planning - intervention - and evaluation for Veterans in outpatient services. They collaborate with an interdisciplinary team - may work on specialty mental health teams - and support treatment through clinical care - education - coordination - and ongoing monitoring.

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/12956714
• 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 - BSN or higher nursing degree
• - Recent Mental Health/Psychiatric nursing experience in outpatient - inpatient - residential - or crisis settings
• - Experience with suicide prevention protocols and crisis intervention strategies
• - Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care principles
• - Strong communication - de-escalation - and therapeutic engagement skills
• - Experience using electronic medical records - preferably CPRS
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: - Heavy lifting (up to 45 lb )
• pushing - pulling - and carrying light to moderate items
• - Standing - walking - bending - stooping - and reaching for extended periods
• - Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations
• - Visual acuity - hearing (with or without aids) - and manual dexterity required
• - Emotional and mental stability to work effectively with acutely distressed or unpredictable patients
• - Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as computer documentation.

Duties

• The Mental Health Outpatient RN delivers safe - evidence-based - patient-centered care to Veterans receiving psychiatric and behavioral health services in an outpatient setting
• This role supports comprehensive assessment - treatment planning - medication management - crisis intervention - and care coordination to foster recovery - independence - and improved mental health outcomes
• The RN works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to provide high-quality - trauma-informed care that adheres to VHA standards and policies
• The responsibilities of the RN BHIP include but are not limited to: - Conducting comprehensive mental health nursing assessments - including suicide-risk screening - psychosocial evaluation - medication adherence review - and identification of risk factors
• - Providing direct patient care - including medication administration - injections - health teaching - and symptom management for Veterans engaged in Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) services
• - Participating as an integral member of the interdisciplinary BHIP team collaborating with psychiatrists - psychologists - social workers - and other providers in treatment planning and ongoing evaluation
• - Supporting care coordination and case management functions - including follow-up on treatment plans - coordination with specialty services - and connecting Veterans to internal and community resources
• - Performing crisis intervention and de-escalation - responding to acute changes in mental status - and activating emergency protocols when indicated to maintain safety for Veterans and staff
• - Monitoring and documenting patient progress - responses to treatment - side effects - and changes in mental health status - ensuring timely communication with the BHIP team
• - Providing patient and family education focused on recovery-oriented care - coping strategies - medication understanding - and wellness interventions
• - Facilitating communication among providers - ensuring continuity across levels of care such as primary care - inpatient psychiatry - residential programs - and community partners
• - Participating in performance improvement initiatives - population health strategies - safety huddles - and evidence-based program implementation within the Mental Health Service
• - Maintaining compliance with VHA directives - Joint Commission standards - infection control practices - and all nursing practice policies
• 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: 0730-1600 - Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized