Registered Nurse-Substance Use Disorder

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Eligible

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Registered Nurse for Inpatient Mental Health. The RN will provide evidence-based care, participate in multidisciplinary teams, and support milieu management within a psychiatric unit.

The role requires acute nursing knowledge, a current US RN license, and eligibility for EDRP. The position includes federal benefits and potential professional growth within VA facilities.

Qualifications

• English proficiency is required for direct patient care.
• Graduate from an accredited nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) and eligible for licensure in the US.
• Current, full, active RN license in a US state or territory.
• Foreign-trained nurses require degree equivalency validation.
• Bridge program graduates may pursue state licensure and temporary appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care for patients in the inpatient MH setting.
• Facilitate shift reports and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Employ therapeutic communication, de-escalation, and recovery-oriented language.
• Participate in MH interdisciplinary treatment teams and rounds.
• Document nursing assessments, plans of care, safety checks and outcomes.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

ADN/ Diploma in Nursing

BSN degree

State RN license (unrestricted)

NCLEX passing/licensure

Foreign nursing degree equivalency validation

Nurse I/II/III grade requirements

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) and 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

• 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/13095957
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements – This position requires visual acuity – keen hearing – clear distinctive speech – and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking – standing – stooping – sitting – bending – pulling – and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• 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
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium – dementia – or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature – flexible – sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations – able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements – such as annual TB screening or testing – as a condition of employment
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service

Duties

• The Registered Nurse Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) provides competent – evidence-based care – the psychiatric MH nurse provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care – milieu management – and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• They facilitate shift reports – warm handoffs – and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• 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 – and psychiatric emergencies – reports safety concerns – and documents nursing assessments – nursing plan of care – patient safety observations – 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
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education – orientation – competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization
• This nurse has fundamental MH experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform – integrating theoretical concepts – basic critical thinking skills – and technically skilled practice
• 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: 4:00pm-12:00am rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Authorized 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