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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Registered Nurse - Mental Health Near Alexandria, LA

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.

Preferred Experience:

• Mental Health In-Patient
  • 2-3 years of acute mental health experiences strong in their practice
  • No new graduates
• Mental Health Out-Patient
  • 2-3 years of acute mental health experiences strong in their practice
  • No new graduates

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.

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 (including depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), and pushing (1-2 hours). lifting (>50 pounds), carrying (>50 pounds). 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 be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. 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. Must be able to work closely with others, as well as protracted or irregular hours of work. Must be compliance with the use of ergonomic exercises and employee safety requirements.

Responsibilities:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

The RN for will perform clinical duties as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services through the designated Associate Chief of Nursing Service and Head Nurse (or designee).

The RN will demonstrate leadership when providing nursing care and serve as a role model when assigned as team leader or charge nurse under the supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee. The Registered Nurse is responsible for managing and delivering care for complex mental health and psychiatric patients' care. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans and implements nursing orders in a timely and accurate manner for emotionally disturbed and/or mentally ill patients with complex nursing care needs.
• Implements physician's orders in a timely and accurate manner, initiating appropriate and creative solutions when care is impeded.
• Collaborates with patient, patient's family, support system, and other health care providers to establish realistic and measurable goals related biopsychosocial and holistic functioning and wellbeing.
• Works within a multidisciplinary team to refer patients for specialty consultation and care. Makes provision for immediate or acute care needs, and ensure continuity of care.
• Meets individual patient's learning or discharge preparation needs by using evidence-based learning materials delivered in the patient's preferred learning style.
• Documents nursing process in electronic health record in accordance with standing VA policies and professional guidance.
• Assess/documents the patient's response to nursing intervention, psychotropic medications, and other biopsychosocial therapies. Anticipates potential changes in patient condition or response to treatments and revises the care plan accordingly to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.
• Assesses, tracks, and prioritizes patients' mental health and healthcare needs across the continuum of care by recognizing patient's response to therapies and reestablishing priorities for care.
• Collaborates in interdisciplinary teams to advocate for their patients, champions evidence-based nursing care, supports evidence-based mental health therapies within the nurses' scope of practice, and implements care.
• Participates in quality assurance and quality improvement activities, champions evidence-based practice change, and contributes to VA sponsored interdisciplinary research activities when asked.
• Conducts self-assessment of performance and identifies own performance improvement and learning needs.
• Plans, implements, and achieves professional goals such as clinical competency certifications, board certifications from mental health professional organizations, or formal education degrees.
• Remains up to date on clinical practice guidelines and trending research. Incorporates and champions latest guidance and trends into their practice for the benefits of their patients.
• Works with nursing colleagues and within an interdisciplinary team to validate and/or change healthcare practices and improve outcomes for patients.
• Delegates care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
• Assists patients in identifying and securing appropriate services.
• All other duties dictated by patient care.

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: Various Schedules
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
EDRP Authorized: Maybe authorized for positions with prior approval as hard to fill/recruit. Contact Terrell Gorham, Terrell.Gorham@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary