Intermittent Registered Nurse (Domiciliary Mental Health)

Full Job Description

The Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice.

The RN gains awareness of the principles and goals of domiciliary MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with substance use disorder and/or MH conditions.

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/12926472.

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: 1 year experience working with patient populations with Behavioral Health and/or Alcohol/Substance Use Disorders diagnoses. Teaching nursing & Health and Wellness classes.

Creating Treatment plans, providing care & education for ETOH/SUD, BH diagnoses. Participation in Process Improvement. Providing Health & Wellness Patient Education.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting under 15 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Reaching above shoulders, Use of fingers, Walking, Standing, Repeated bending ( 2 hours), Specific visual requirements (see computer screen), Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Major Duties:

Duties include but not limited to: Completing the appropriate nursing process, following nursing standards of care for every resident in the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) and Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP).

Ensures documentation is accurate, complete, and timely.

Functioning as Case Manager, creating individualized plans for SARRTP and PRRTP residents, coordinating nursing care, and identifying barriers to education.

Identifying and prioritizing residents' problems and needs. Continues ongoing assessments, required re-assessments, and addresses any changes.

Documents when resident conditions change, their response to interventions and treatments. Setting measurable goals, objectives, and outcomes with the resident, utilizing the mental health suite.

Presenting residents for review at expanded team meetings. Providing resident/family education based on the identified needs and problems assessed. Completing transfers and/or discharge summaries.

Validating and ensures assigned residents have advance directives.

Communicating with Primary Mental Health Provider, Medical staff, Addiction Therapists, Psychosocial Education (PSE) staff, family or significant other, and VA Police as needed to facilitate care and safety.

Communicating to charge nurse or appropriate other personnel potential situations in which a resident may be a danger to self or others.

Ensuring direct care staff provide safe and appropriate care, follows local policies. Maintaining confidentiality regarding patients in SARRTP and PRRTP.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Intermittent covering any or all tours of duty, Per-diem possible, days 7:30am-4:00pm, evenings 3:30pm-12:00am, nights11:30pm-8:00am.

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized