---

Veterans Health Administration is Hiring an Outpatient Mental Health Intensive Case Management-Registered Nurse Near San Francisco, CA

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications
Nurse I Levels 1-3: $143,091-$190,303 annually
Nurse II: $164,554-$212,100 annually
Nurse III: $181,009-$212,100 annually

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Responsibilities:

The Outpatient Mental Health RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. He/She influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary teams of the Mental Health Service Line Programs where he/she is designated. This includes Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP), General Mental Health (GMH), Mental Health Integrated Case Management (MHICM), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), Psychosocial Recovery and Rehabilitation Center (PRRC), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP).

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge on department safety policies and standard operating procedures, central directives, mandates from regulating bodies, legal statues.
• Demonstrates understanding on the access of mental health services articulated in VHA Handbook 'Uniform Mental Health Services' (VHA Handbook 1160.01).
• Demonstrate knowledge and competency in discharge care transitions in partnership with inpatient behavioral health clinical team.
• Demonstrates understanding on the recovery model of care and continuum of care articulated in VHA Handbook 'Inpatient Mental Health Services' (VHA handbook 1160.06).
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transit through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact patient satisfaction in collaboration with the Mental Health service line team.
• Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race, culture, values, and previous experiences.
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing safe and timely care.
• Demonstrates knowledge on established safety policies and procedures and verbalizes understanding in escalating immediate safety interventions as deemed necessary.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding in the application of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB).
• Completes all documentations utilizing the nursing process in a timely manner. Reports pertinent clinical information to his/her nursing leadership, program manager, and to interdisciplinary team as deemed appropriate.
• Verbalizes understanding of program flow and team collaborations in addressing appropriate level of care.
• Participates in team huddles and adheres to program guidelines of patient care coordination
• Completes coordination of care referrals in consultation with program managers and interdisciplinary team.
• Influences care outcomes supporting the unit, department, and facility's mission in promoting patient-centered care approaches.
• Demonstrates knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs in partnerships with Mental Health service line leadership, program managers, and interdisciplinary team.
• Facilitates active partnership with program coordinators and team members on RN cross coverage of Mental Health service programs to maintain continuity of Veteran care.
• Provides assistance in precepting newly hired staff with supervisions from nursing leadership.
• Partners with team, program coordinators, and nursing leadership in providing cross coverage of Mental Health service line programs to maintain continuity of care.

The Outpatient BH Nurse is also responsible and accountable for maintaining BLS training and for performing activities that reflect the educational, experiential and competency requirements outlined in the four (4) dimensions:

1. Practice
2. Professional Development
3. Collaboration
4. Scientific Inquiry

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, 7:30-4:00pm
Telework: Available per operational needs and supervisory approval
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary