Registered Nurse (Assistant Manager) - Behavioral Health

MePA; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MePA in the United States is seeking a registered nurse to coordinate care focusing on patient education, self-management, and satisfaction across the continuum of care. The incumbent administers medications and procedures per policies and guides care outcomes by collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.

The role requires VA qualification familiarity, English proficiency, and eligibility for RN licensure; leadership in nursing education, orientation, and performance evaluation will be

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate nurse with valid RN license and meet VA qualification standards.
• English proficiency required per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Experience pursuing or holding state licensure and eligibility for full appointment.
• Foreign-education equivalency validation may be required for non-U.S. degrees.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based nursing care to assigned patients.
• Coordinate care with education, self-management, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Supervise orientation, training, and staff development as needed.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

ADN or Diploma in Nursing

BSN degree

RN license / state licensure

Tools

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Job description

Summary

The Incumbent assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

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/13095226
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 3 years of Mental Health experience 1-2 years of leadership experience 1-2 years inpatient Mental Health experience 1-2 years outpatient Mental Health experience 1 year experience with electronic medical records Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a government vehicle
• The following requirements must be met: -distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction - -field of vision 70 degrees - -ability to distinguish red - green and amber - -whispered voice at five feet - or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs
• at 500 - 1000 and 2 -000 Hz.

Duties

• Major Duties: Responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Demonstrates sound decision-making and judgment and possesses excellent interpersonal skills Self-directed and influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team and leading innovative process improvement initiatives
• Supports the Nurse Manager (NM) with supervisory duties and responsibility and accountability for the daily operations of their designated units
• Responsible and accountable for the direction and supervision of specific orientation - training - development of staff - and evaluation of individual staff performance
• Functions as a role model - educator - practitioner - and supervisor providing leadership to the team
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team to remove barriers and implement new evidence-based cutting-edge programs/processes
• Engages in professional organizations to enhance leadership and career growth
• Adheres to ethical principles in decision-making - fostering accountability at personal - organizational - and staff levels
• Equips staff with tools for culturally competent care and promotes a culture of accountability for high-quality - cost-effective outcomes
• Cultivates alliances across the care continuum - building trust through active listening - engagement - and emotional intelligence
• Contributes to the development of care delivery models and environmental design - ensuring evidence-based - accessible - affordable - and equitable patient care
• Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards
• Aligns nursing/clinical objectives with organizational strategic outcomes - participating in strategy planning and execution
• Promotes an inclusive workplace valuing diversity to achieve the organization's vision and mission
• Maintains knowledge and ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards - Directives - policies - and standard operating procedures (SOP) including those related to government issued electronics and vehicle use
• 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 - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Adhoc Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized