Advanced Practice Nurse - Nurse Practitioner Mental Health

US Veterans Health Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nurse Total Rewards Pay

Paid Time Off: 50 days per year

Traditional federal pension and 401K

Federal health/vision/dental/life

Licensure support

Intermittent schedule with rotation

Relocation/Recruitment incentives not

Job summary

The Veterans Affairs Washington DC Health Care System is seeking a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner II to provide comprehensive psychiatric care in outpatient and inpatient settings including the Emergency Department. This role features an intermittent weekend schedule and requires collaboration with a full interdisciplinary team to advance veteran-centered care.

Responsibilities include health promotion, disease prevention, medication management, crisis intervention, and education for Veterans

Qualifications

• Education: post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Active, current APN license to practice as an NP in the U.S. or DC.
• Basic board certification in FNP/ANP/AGPCNP/GNP from a recognized certifying body.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive mental health care as a licensed independent practitioner.
• Perform assessments and manage acute and chronic psychiatric conditions.
• Prescribe, renew, and modify psychiatric medications per policy.
• Develop and adjust individualized treatment plans to improve outcomes.
• Coordinate care with physicians, nurses, and the interprofessional team.
• Deliver crisis intervention and referrals across settings.

Skills

Leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-based practice

Critical thinking

Education

Nurse Practitioner degree

Job description

Summary

The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP), Advanced Practice Nurse II, serves within the Veterans Affairs Washington DC Health Care System. The incumbent practices in Outpatient and Inpatient Mental Health and the Emergency Department, providing a full range of mental health services in support of quality, timely Veteran-centered care and the advancement of the VA mission. This position will have an intermittent work schedule working primarily on weekends. This job is open to The public U.S.Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Duties

The NP provides comprehensive mental health care, including health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, crisis intervention, assessment and management of psychiatric illnesses, medication management, patient and family education, community referrals, and interdisciplinary coordination of care. The incumbent independently manages Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions while collaborating with physicians, peers, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

• Provides evidence-based psychiatric and mental health care to assigned Veterans as a licensed independent practitioner.
• Performs comprehensive psychiatric and clinical assessments and independently manages Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.
• Provides psychiatric and mental health interventions, including the prescription, renewal, and modification of psychiatric medications in accordance with applicable medical center policy.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and adjusts individualized treatment plans to promote optimal health outcomes and effective management of psychiatric and other health conditions.
• Provides crisis intervention and management of psychiatric illnesses across applicable outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care settings.
• Orders and interprets laboratory tests, diagnostic tests, and other appropriate diagnostic studies.
• Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions within approved clinical privileges and scope of practice.
• Initiates referrals and consultations to specialty services and coordinates community referrals as appropriate.
• Provides education and counseling to Veterans and their families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, health promotion, disease prevention, and self-management.
• Collaborates with physicians, nurses, peers, and other interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to coordinate care and promote continuity across healthcare settings.
• Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, including leading patient care teams and facilitating changes designed to improve patient outcomes.
• Applies critical thinking and advanced clinical judgment in assessing and managing complex patient-care situations.
• Incorporates research and evidence-based practice, professional standards, regulatory requirements, and clinical practice guidelines into the delivery and evaluation of care.
• Participates in performance and quality improvement activities by identifying, analyzing, and implementing processes to improve quality, timeliness, patient outcomes, and healthcare delivery.
• Identifies clinical and process improvement opportunities and trends and takes appropriate action to support resolution.
• Educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a clinical and professional resource to members of the interprofessional healthcare team.
• Maintains professional competence through ongoing education and assumes responsibility for continued professional development.
• Demonstrates effective communication, collaboration, professionalism, and ethical conduct while promoting cooperation and teamwork with Veterans, families, staff, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Supports a culture of safety, infection prevention, privacy, accreditation readiness, and compliance with applicable VA policies, procedures, and standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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: Intermittent, The position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments and may include rotation of tours or work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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 in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) 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.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of five years of full time mental health NP experience.
• Prior ten years of RN Mental Health experience.

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 distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Required Documents

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript
• Veterans' Preference
• DD-214(s) (if currently serving on active duty)
• SF-15 Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference with required proof as stated on the form

Agency contact information

Chelsea Montgomery Phone [phone] Email [e-mail] Address Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US

Closing

We may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. ...