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 (1 to 5 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/12949362
• 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 or more years of inpatient or outpatient mental health nursing experience
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (e.g. - PMH-BC) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work of this position is physically demanding and requires the ability to safely perform nursing functions in an outpatient mental health environment
• Long periods of standing - walking - and sitting while providing direct patient care or facilitating group activities
• Moderate lifting - repeated bending - kneeling - and movement necessary for patient care activities
• Assisting Veterans during clinical encounters or therapeutic sessions - including implementation of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
• Sustained physical and mental stamina to support Veterans with serious mental illness who may experience emotional distress or functional impairment
• Flexibility to adjust work assignments and support needs such as medication administration and assistance with ADLs when required.

Duties

• The Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) Registered Nurse (RN) supports Veterans with serious mental illness and significant functional impairment in achieving recovery and reintegration into meaningful community roles
• The PRRC provides evidence-based nursing care that emphasizes wellness - psychoeducation - and skill building
• This role serves as a case manager - educator - and therapeutic partner to Veterans as they work toward individualized - recovery-oriented goals
• Duties The Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Center Registered Nurse performs fundamental - knowledge-based nursing care while developing technical and clinical competencies under close supervision
• Major duties include - but are not limited to : Clinical Care & Nursing Practice Provide nursing care in accordance with VHA directives - including VHA Handbook 1163.03 and 1160.01 - and ANCC nursing standards
• Conduct systematic data gathering - assessments - and evaluations of Veteran responses to health conditions and treatments
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by authorized providers
• Implement wellness-oriented psychoeducational interventions (nutrition - sleep hygiene - chronic disease management - preventative health - etc.)
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and provide input into Veteran-centered care plans
• Case Management & Veteran Engagement Serve as case manager for an assigned panel of Veterans
• Encourage and support Veterans' participation in community activities and recovery-focused goals
• Coordinate referrals and services with other mental health disciplines based on assessed needs
• Assist Veterans in developing meaningful - self-determined roles in the community
• Communication & Collaboration Build effective therapeutic relationships with Veterans - gaining trust and fostering engagement
• Collaborate with the PRRC Program Manager and team to ensure timely reporting and program documentation
• Demonstrate professional communication and teamwork with internal and external partners
• Education & Evidence-Based Practice Teach wellness and skills-based group classes as assigned
• Apply nursing research and evidence-based practices to clinical care
• Participate in unit-based performance improvement and cost-effective care initiatives
• Compliance & Documentation Complete required documentation in accordance with VHA - Joint Commission - and GARF standards
• Protect printed and electronic sensitive information following the Privacy Act - HIPAA - and VHA information security policies
• 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: 0800-1630 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 VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized