Registered Nurse - Mental Health

Full Job Description

The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for coordinated patient care, patient education, and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

This role adheres to established policies and promotes positive care outcomes through collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.

Key responsibilities include contributing to the unit's or program's quality improvement initiatives and supporting customer service initiatives.

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/12877108.

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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear and distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

It involves potentially prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, with a maximum weight requirement of 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032.

The role may also involve transferring patients and objects; mechanical inpatient lifts are provided to assist with these tasks.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations, during operative or invasive procedures, or in home settings.

Occasionally, there may be exposure to patients who are combative due to conditions such as delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The ideal candidate will be a mature, flexible, and sensible individual capable of working effectively under stress, with the ability to adapt priorities based on patient needs.

Additionally, the employee must complete all annual health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Major Duties:

The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Collaborative Care Manager (CoCM) Registered Nurse (RN) is tasked with delivering competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.

The PCMHI CoCM supports the coordination of nursing education, orientation, competency development, and provides consultation on quality improvement and outcomes utilization.

This role involves delivering evidence-based, condition-specific (e.g., depression), protocol-driven services to collaboratively assist Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) providers in managing common mental health and health behavior concerns within primary care.

Services include patient education, activation, behavioral interventions, and monitoring medication adherence and responses.

These services are provided within the outpatient primary care setting, utilizing all aspects of the nursing process in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

The PCMHI CoCM participates in patient outreach and engagement to ensure appropriate treatment.

Duties include assessing, reviewing, developing, maintaining, and monitoring Veteran-specific care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to ensure accurate reporting and validation of patient outcomes.

The role involves participating in caseload consultations with team members and delivering education and brief interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, and other focused strategies.

Relapse prevention planning is integral throughout the care process, including transitions from active treatment to maintenance as goals are achieved.

The PCMHI CoCM communicates effectively with patients, families, caregivers, VA leadership, and interdisciplinary team members employing therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.

Additionally, the role involves collaborating with PCMHI leadership and team members to develop and enhance educational materials and employ marketing strategies to promote PCMHI CoCM services.

The PCMHI CoCM works continuously with the team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, effective, Veteran-centered services at both the patient and program levels.

Preferred Experience: A minimum of two years of experience as a registered nurse, including at least one year working in an outpatient clinic setting with a multidisciplinary mental health team.

Demonstrated experience collaborating across multiple departments. Proven ability to lead group discussions and deliver presentations in both in-person and virtual formats.

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, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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