Registered Nurse - Mental Health

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

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Authorized

Job summary

Diversity Group in Spokane, WA seeks a licensed registered nurse to join the Veterans Affairs Health Care system. You will provide evidence-based nursing care, perform assessments, coordinate treatment plans, and support patients through recovery and transition.

This role participates in multidisciplinary teams, adheres to licensure requirements, and supports EDRP program eligibility. Federal benefits apply; standard Mon–Fri schedule; no telework.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency and ability to communicate clearly.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by an accrediting body (ACEN/CCNE).
• Current, full, active RN license in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based nursing care to assigned patients.
• Perform nursing assessments and develop care plans with the team.
• Coordinate care transitions and collaborate with SUD/psychiatric staff as needed.
• Administer medications and conduct routine clinical procedures.
• Monitor patient status and document in the electronic health record.
• Uphold professional boundaries and advocate for patient safety.

Skills

Clinical nursing skills

Education

Nursing degree (ACEN/CCNE accredited)

RN license in good standing

Tools

Electronic Health Records

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/13081230
• 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 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: CARN (Certified Addictions Registered Nurse) Certification preferred 2 years of outpatient mental health/substance use disorder (SUD) experience preferred BSN/MSN preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients
• Gains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH STP by understanding practices related to patient-centered care - recovery-oriented principles - and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with substance use conditions
• Provides direct patient care including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and clinical support
• Provides acute and routine psychiatric assessment and intervention for a variety of psychosocial - SUD - and medical concerns and assists the STP staff in developing a recovery-based plan of care for the patient
• Works directly with the SUD professionals - psychiatric - and clinical staff to support clinical treatment
• Collaborates with patients - staff - and other care providers
• Administers injectable medications and completes electrocardiograms (ECG) and other applicable psychosocial interventions
• Uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice in assessing patients' medical and MH needs - developing initial care plans - monitoring patients' status - and providing transitional care - all from a perspective of recovery-oriented - personalized - proactive - patient-centered - holistic treatment approach
• Functions as an advocate for patients - by serving as a team player with colleagues - and by working to foster their own professional growth as well as that of team members and colleagues
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals and supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• 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 0800-1630 Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Telework: ADHOC Only
• 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 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.