Registered Nurse (Ascend, PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System seeks a registered nurse for roles in the Mental Health and inpatient care setting. The position emphasizes patient-centered and recovery-oriented nursing, leadership in care delivery, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

EDRP eligibility is highlighted, with opportunities for loan repayment and competitive benefits. Applicants must meet VA nursing education and licensure requirements, possess English proficiency, and be capable of performing

Qualifications

• Proficiency in English for direct patient care as required by VA policy.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting agencies.
• Current full active unrestricted RN license in a US state or territory.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care.
• Participate in shift reports, warm hand-offs, and psychoeducational groups.
• Support MH interdisciplinary teams and collaborate with others to ensure safe patient care.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

ADN or Diploma in Nursing

BSN

MSN

Registered nurse license

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 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/13103322
• 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 MSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a MSN and 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 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 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/
• Preferred Experience: Preferred experience in Mental Health Nursing
• Best qualified have experience in mental health residential care - group facilitation - case management and/or Whole Health - working with individuals who have PTSD - and the Recovery Model
• Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires restraining confused patients - repositioning patients - assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars - and transporting them to other departments or facilities
• Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• This position requires visual acuity - good hearing - distinctive speech and manual dexterity
• The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients.

Duties

• Start - continue - or finish your career here | VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System(youtube.com) Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to - the following: Executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes
• Executes their position duties by providing patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with substance use disorder and/or MH conditions
• Facilitates shift reports - warm hand-offs - and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Uses therapeutic communication techniques - practices de-escalation techniques - utilizes recovery-oriented language - and provides oversight of the patient safe medication management program
• Demonstrates the ability to work with and lead MH interdisciplinary teams and work collaboratively with others as well as independently
• Promotes critical thinking - participates in patient safety and environment of care rounds - directs team response to psychiatric and medical care needs and emergencies - reports safety concerns - and assists and/or directs safety concern resolution
• Documents nursing assessments - risk screens - measurement-based care tools - nursing plan of care - patient safety rounds - and environment of care rounds according to facility policy
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• 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: Rotating days - 6:30 am - 7:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: 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 Anthony Salas
• [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more