Nurse IV (Mental Health Program Manager)

Full Job Description

The VISN 20 Nurse IV Mental Health Program Manager identifies the unique mental healthcare needs of the patient population in the Pacific Northwest.

Within existing resources, the Nurse IV develops systems and strategic plans to achieve short and long-term goals consistent with VA Health system policy, priorities and goals and the VISN direction that will meet the identified needs.

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.

The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.

Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV.

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership.

Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models.

Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen.

Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level.

Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle.

Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level.

Communication and Relationship Management.

Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level.

Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level.

Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community.

Preferred Experience: 5 or more years of mental health experience, 2 or more years of leadership experience, 2 or more years of supervisory experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Use of fingers; Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors: Working alone. Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Nurse IV Mental Health Program Manager functions/scopes of practice include but are not limited to: Lead efforts to plan, organize and evaluate VISN 20 Behavioral Health program.

Chair VISN 20 Behavioral Health Committee. Collaborate with facility Behavioral Health leaders and staff. Serve as liaison between VISN Behavioral health community and VISN leadership.

Develop and maintain Behavior Health Strategic Plan including region wide Behavioral Health access through conventional and innovative means.

Lead the Implementation of Behavioral Health Strategic Plan. Monitor and improve Behavioral Health System performance.

In collaboration with Behavioral Health Committee set standards, identify, and correct significant variance.

Define clinical practice guidelines/clinical pathways, admission-discharge criteria, outcome expectations, referral management, disorder-specific Case Management and prevention-wellness programs, and patient satisfaction.

Provide leadership to coordinate activities between VISN and facilities to achieve a seamless continuum of care for patients.

Ensure that clinical and administrative activities, as they relate to the VISN, are in compliance with internal and external standards established by VA headquarters, external accrediting bodies and regulatory authorities.

The incumbent will monitor customer satisfaction through use and interpretation of appropriate patient survey systems. Integrate and promote teaching and research within the clinical structure.

The incumbent will work to increase and support peer-reviewed funded research in Mental Health, including awards from the VA and NIH.

The incumbent will work with the affiliated academic institutions to promote education within the network.

The incumbent ensures that effective utilization of available resources is achieved, and that equity of access to necessary services is provided within the service area.

Negotiates with Medical Center Directors to provide a variety of services for a fixed cost, at various sites within the VISN. These agreements are incorporated in memoranda of understanding.

Develops and utilizes monitors to assess and measure program and system performance.

Achieves VA objectives in quality of services and programs across the service line, as evaluated by internal indicators, regulatory and accreditation reviews, and patient satisfaction data.

Ensures continuous improvement relative to the quality, value, and access of mental health services.

Consults with the BHC and patient care providers to outline policies and quality measures that will be useful in measuring and assuring the effectiveness of VI SN-wide mental health services.

The incumbent articulates and communicates goals of the VISN 20 Behavioral Health program to all staff in the VISN.

Has a critical responsibility to support and foster the academic alliances between the VA and academic institutions including medical schools in the VISN.

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: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm PST Compressed/Flexible: Not available.

Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.