Registered Nurse- Mental Health Intensive Care Management

Full Job Description

The Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program Registered Nurse (RN) provides high-level, community-based care for veterans with severe mental illness (SMI) to prevent hospitalization and enhance community adjustment.

Key duties include medication management, crisis intervention, psychiatric assessment, and in-home support, operating within an interdisciplinary team. 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/12889428.

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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Work will require long periods of regular and recurring standing and walking (8-12 hours) with regular and recurring heavy lifting (35 lbs.

and over) and positioning of patients while maintaining balance.

Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, move body and extremities quickly, push and pull equipment, carry equipment and supplies (heavy 35 lbs.

and over) without personal limitations or physical restrictions. Protracted periods of sitting with an assigned patient may be required.

Physical endurance and physical tolerance are required for an 8-hour shift as assigned. These are essential functions of the position. Major Duties:

The Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program Registered Nurse (RN) provides high-level, community-based care for veterans with severe mental illness (SMI) to prevent hospitalization and enhance community adjustment.

Key duties include medication management, crisis intervention, psychiatric assessment, and in-home support, operating within an interdisciplinary team.

Duties include but are not limited to; Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex patients and their care Provides direct and indirect nursing care to Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) Veterans in the home and outpatient setting to reduce inpatient episodes Carries a caseload of SMI patients with a full range of psychiatric diagnoses and is responsible for medication education for all MHICM patients Coordinates the teaching of medication compliance techniques, including medication delivery in the home and office setting.

Demonstrates the ability to communicate confidently with members of the healthcare team and demonstrate professional behaviors that promotes cooperation and teamwork.

Manage a caseload of patients with diverse psychiatric diagnoses, including SMI. Provide medication education and promote adherence, including home and office visits.

Coordinate care with a focus on patient self-management and recovery. Advocate for patients, families, and caregivers to improve outcomes.

Incorporate patient and family input into care delivery without bias. Develop recovery-oriented treatment plans aimed at mental health stabilization.

Stay informed on current trends and share updates with the team. Travel within a 50 mile radius as required for home visits.

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: Monday-Friday 0730-1600 Telework: Ad Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to applyFormer EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized