Registered Nurse - Mental Health (1 West)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tucson (AZ); Vor Ort; USD 80.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) to provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care for veterans. The role requires active RN licensure, adherence to VA standards, and participation in inter-disciplinary teams.

The position emphasizes leadership in MH settings, clinical education, and evidence-based practice, with opportunities for career development within VHA. Night shifts and full-time hours are typical in this environment.

Qualifikationen

• English language proficiency required.
• Graduate of a nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in the United States or District of Columbia.
• State licensure and education must meet VA qualification standards.
• Foreign-educated nurses need degree equivalency validation when applicable.
• All requirements reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6.

Aufgaben

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care for Veterans with MH conditions.
• Facilitate shift reports and warm hand-offs; lead psychoeducational groups as needed.
• Document nursing assessments, care plans, safety observations, medication administration.
• Collaborate with inter-disciplinary team to update policies and ensure best practices.
• Direct nursing education, orientation, and competencies; contribute to quality improvement.

Kenntnisse

English language proficiency

Ausbildung

Graduate of nursing school (ACEN/CCNE accredited)

State licensure in nursing (RN)

Nursing degree (ADN/BSN)

Jobbeschreibung

Summary

This position is eligible for EDRP - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within 4 months of your start date. Approval award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact [e-mail] for questions/assistance.

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/13105875
• 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: At least 1 year in a mental health setting Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting
• There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.

Duties

• The Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes their position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient-centered and recovery oriented care - maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions - and managing the milieu
• The nurse facilitates shift reports - warm hand-offs - and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• The nurse possess thorough knowledge of psychiatric - suicidal patients - restraints - substance use disorder and PTSD
• They 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 - directs team response to psychiatric emergencies - reports safety concerns - and assists in safety concern resolution
• The nurse documents nursing assessments - nursing plan of care - patient safety observations - medication administration 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
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and enhance outcomes utilization
• This nurse integrates MH knowledge - skills - abilities - and judgment and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex situations
• Validates understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients
• Questions MH clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
• The nurse will demonstrate the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities
• The nurse demonstrates competence in MH practice and decision-making - deliberate planning - and critical thinking skills
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• Evaluates MH outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility and sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture
• 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: Night Shift Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized