Registered Nurse- Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Newington (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Newington, CT seeks a Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) RN to support integrated mental health services in primary care. You will conduct mental health assessments, provide brief nursing interventions, and coordinate care with PCPs and specialists.

The role is full-time (40 hours/week), day shift, on-site, with no telework. A current US nursing license is required; BSN preferred and EHR experience is expected. EDRP and federal benefits apply.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by the appropriate accrediting body with current licensure.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing license in a US state or territory.
• BSN preferred; bridge programs may qualify for licensure.
• GNT exception provisions for licensure while pursuing it.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health nursing assessments, screenings, and follow-up evaluations.
• Provide brief, evidence-based nursing interventions and patient education for Veterans with depression, anxiety, and behavioral health conditions.
• Assist with medication monitoring, treatment adherence, and symptom management in collaboration with prescribers.
• Coordinate referrals and care between primary care, mental health, and community resources.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation and participate in quality improvement.
• Promote Whole Health principles and Veteran engagement in treatment.

Skills

Nursing license

English proficiency

Mental health nursing

Triage & crisis skills

Education

ADN/ Diploma in Nursing

BSN preferred

State nursing license

Tools

EHR systems

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.

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
• Preferred Experience: Nursing experience in mental health
• Strong triage - crisis de-escalation skills
• BSN preferred
• 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/13103796
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Position is subject to a pre-employment physical and medical examination
• This position requires: lifting - carrying
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• walking (8 hours)
• standing (8 hours)
• repeated bending
• working alone
• protracted or irregular hours of work and occasional emotional strain.

Duties

• This Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) position is located in the Mental Health service at the Newington VA Healthcare System - located at the Newington - CT campus
• This position is full-time at 40 hours per week
• The PCMHI RN is a full-time outpatient nursing position supporting integrated mental health services within the primary care setting
• The RN will work closely with primary care providers - mental health clinicians - and other interdisciplinary team members to ensure Veterans receive timely - coordinated - and comprehensive care
• Duties include but are not limited to: Conduct mental health nursing assessments - screenings - and follow-up evaluations
• Provide brief - evidence based nursing interventions and patient education for Veterans experiencing depression - anxiety - and other behavioral health conditions
• Assist with medication monitoring - treatment adherence - and symptom management in collaboration with prescribers
• Facilitate referrals and coordinate care between primary care - mental health - and community resources
• Support same-day access to mental health services and timely follow-up care
• Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments and Veteran goals of care
• Utilize measurement based care tools - including the PHQ-9 - GAD-7 - and other standardized screening instruments
• Promote Whole Health principles - self-management strategies - and Veteran engagement in treatment
• Assess suicide risk and coordinate appropriate interventions in accordance with VA policies and established protocols
• Maintain timely - accurate clinical documentation and participate in quality improvement initiatives
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Monday-Friday Day-shift
• 730-4pm
• 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 Hannah Neilson at [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Notifications: This position is not a AFGE Bargaining Unit position
• Current and former Federal 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
• The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate
• 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