Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse-Unit 23B

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Brockton (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse position is with the Veterans Health Administration, VA Boston Healthcare System, at VA Brockton, MA. This full-time role focuses on evidence-based psychiatric nursing care, patient safety, and recovery-oriented practice within a multidisciplinary team.

The RN will lead shift activity, provide education and mentorship, and participate in quality improvement initiatives. Night shifts with weekend/holiday rotations are required.

Qualifications

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in the United States
• State license must reflect VA qualification standards
• Credentialing may be required
• English proficiency required for direct patient care
• Foreign education requires degree equivalency validation when applicable
• US law and VA policy govern nursing practice

Responsibilities

• Provide and lead evidence-based care for psychiatric mental health patients
• Lead shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language
• Participate in MH interdisciplinary treatment team and safety rounds
• Direct nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement initiatives
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect patient safety
• Oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

De-escalation techniques

Recovery-focused communication

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Job description

Summary

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 the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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/13097329
• 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 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: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

Duties

• The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse position is located in the Nursing - Mental Health service - Unit 23B at VA Boston Healthcare System - VA Brockton - MA location
• The position is full-time at 40 hours per week
• Duties Included but not Limited to: The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) provides and leads the provision of competent - evidence-based care - the psychiatric MH nurse independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care - milieu management - and maintains self awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• They facilitate shift reports - warm hand-offs - and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• use therapeutic communication techniques - practice de-escalation techniques - and utilize recovery-oriented language
• The nurse actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team - MH Environment of Care rounds - assumes team lead for psychiatric emergencies - reports and assists in resolving safety concerns - and documents nursing assessments - nursing plan of care - patient safety observations - and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Has oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH Functional Statement: Nurse II Last Updated: January 29 -2024 Page 2 interdisciplinary team
• Supports colleagues through MH knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Shares MH educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
• Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture
• Notifications: This is not a bargaining Unit position
• Current or former employees must submit copies of their most recent Sf-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• This position is in the Excepted Service
• Veterans preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's
• Work Schedule: Night Shift with Rotations to Weekends and Holidays
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more EDRP Assignment Code: CQ RN Staff-Inpatient Mental Health Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards