Nurse Practitioner - Mental Health - Neuromodulation

Full Job Description

The New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) Behavioral Health Care Line is seeking qualified full-time Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to become part of our acute inpatient psychiatry team and neuromodulation clinic (NMC).

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.

(Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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).

NOTE: Foreign Education.

Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.

License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.

Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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 Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians.

Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 405(c)(2)(B).

Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP).

Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.

Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice.

Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus.

Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.

Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development.

Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality.

Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.

Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.

Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice.

Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus.

Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership.

Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.

Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality.

Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level.

Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

Major Duties:

The PMHNP functions as an licensed independent practitioner (LIP) providing the full range of psychiatric mental health and medical care for Veterans admitted to our two inpatient acute psychiatric units and for Veterans who are receiving psychiatric interventional services (ketamine infusions, esketamine, rTMS, ECT) in the NMC.

The PMHNP provides interventions at a complex level of clinical care, utilizing a comprehensive range of clinical expertise and therapeutic modalities in the provision of treatment services to assist Veterans to reach their individual recovery goals and their optimal level of functional independence and health.

The incumbent will practice in both the NMC and inpatient psychiatric units on a daily basis.

The PMHNP functions with delineated clinical privileges granted by the Executive Committee of the Medical Staff and is a member of the medical staff.

The PMHNP will directly report to the BHCL Inpatient Medical Director.

Duties include but not limited to the following: Part of a psychiatric care team working with other advanced practice providers, physicians, mental health and medical health providers, nurses and/or other support staff.

Provides high quality and efficient care with the ability to work well in an interdisciplinary team setting. Formulate treatment plans and actively participate in treatment teams.

Successfully adhere to system based practices relating to clinical care, safety and documentation standards. Maintains clear, accurate, and current clinical records.

Complete medical records per hospital regulations.

Use advanced clinical judgment and evidence-based treatment strategies to provide care to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness including treatment with psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, medical care and consultation with other mental health professionals.

Provide patient education of medical/mental health conditions, preventive measures and prescribed treatments. Act as a consultant in involving patients in the treatment and management plan.

Provide medical evaluation and management of new and chronic medical conditions for Veterans admitted to inpatient psychiatry.

Perform medical history and physicals for new admissions and provides medication management for medical conditions.

Consult with Medicine Service for Veteran's who develop acute conditions, and require a higher level of medical care for acute medical issues.

Provide psychiatry gap coverage on the inpatient psychiatric units. This includes assessment, diagnosis, and management of mental health and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.

Complete Neuromodulation consults, perform pre-procedure History and Physicals, identify and orders medical specialty consults for pre-procedure medical clearance.

Collaborate with Ambulatory Surgery team on day of procedure to establish ketamine infusion and medication orders. Administers standard psychological questionnaires prior to ketamine infusions.

Completes documentation related to the procedure.

Provide ongoing psychiatric/mental health follow up on an outpatient basis for caseload of Veterans receiving NMC services to include psychotropic medication management and supportive psychotherapy services.

Work as mentor, preceptor, consultant, and researcher; in collaboration with other health care professionals to accomplish patient, service and hospital goals, and expected to precept NP and PA students and residents.

Preferred Experience: Applicants who hold dual board certification as a PMHNP and Family or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner are strongly preferred and will be given first consideration for this position.

The incumbent is required to have prescriptive authority.

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: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm M-F (8 hour day tour) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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