Mental Health Section Chief

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:

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements

• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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).
  • NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II:
Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B).

• Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.
• Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.
  • Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III:

• Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations.
  • Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork

Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of psychiatric nurse practitioner experience, and previous supervisory experience

Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.

Responsibilities:

Administrative & Supervisory Responsibilities (<>40% time)

• Plans, controls, organizes, & directs the activities of staff within the IMPACT Unit, ensuring compliance with legal & regulatory requirements and meets customer and stakeholder needs.
• Develops goals & objectives that integrate organization & multidisciplinary staff objectives.
• Plans, analyzes & monitors data from VSSC, ProClarity & other VA databases to ensure IU is succeeding on all performance measures & monitors related to IU's functioning.
• Researches, interprets, analyzes and applies MHCL, VASDHS, VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network, JCAHO, CARF and related professional, Federal and VHA policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance and successful outcomes for any site visit or audit.
• Establishes, assesses & revises policies and procedures for administrative & clinical operations of staff within the IMPACT Unit.
• Plans and schedules work in a manner that promotes a smooth flow & even distribution. Coordinates plans &d schedules with other IULs, managers & customers as appropriate. Identifies need for changes in priorities & takes action to implement such changes.
• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets & adjusts short-term priorities, & prepares schedules. Assigns work to subordinate employees based on the IUL priorities & consideration of difficulty & requirements of assignments such that the experience, training, & abilities of staff are effectively utilized to meet organization & customer needs. Balances workload & provides advice, guidance, & direction on a wide range of clinical, budgetary & administrative issues. Structures assignments to create effective & economical positions. Coordinates with IULs, Office of Mental Health, Service Chiefs & Leads, & customers as appropriate.
• Reviews MHCL organization mission, functions, & staffing. Identifies requirements & initiates requests for additional resources including personnel, overtime, equipment, supplies, & space to ensure success in meeting goals and objectives.
• Works with subordinates to ensure optimal utilization of training resources &, if appropriate, ensures high quality training is provided within the IU.
• Works with subordinates to ensure optimal utilization of research resources and, if appropriate, ensures that clinical and research missions are coordinated within the IU to optimize organizational excellence.
• Administrative and statistical reporting, including NEPEC, JCAHO, CARF, SWIMS, the recording of encounters, trainings and community liaison activities will be timely, correct and in compliance with VA policy. Other required reports will be completed in a timely, correct and in compliance with VA policy. Other required reports will be completed in a timely and accurate manner as needed and requested.

Direct Patient Care (at least 55% time)

1. Provides direct services to patients and their families utilizing a comprehensive range of techniques, skills, and resources.
2. Provides a documented, comprehensive assessment of the bio-psychosocial needs of the patient/caregiver situation, for individuals enrolled in the MHCL/ VASDHS. Develops a documented treatment plan for identified needs.
3. Assesses patient's eligibility for VA and other governmental benefits and assists in application for benefits where eligibility exists.
4. Refers to community agencies for any needs of the patient and his family, which cannot be met by the VA.
5. Provides information on the biopsychosocial aspects of the patient and his/her situation at the request of the treatment team. Informs providers about interventions that occur without formal consultation, as a means of providing comprehensive and coordinated care.
6. Counsels and supports patient's caregivers/significant others in order to establish and maintain a supportive environment conducive to the recovery of the patient.
7. Collaborates with other team members to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for patients and documents interdisciplinary care in the computerized record.
8. Maintains a current community resource file by seeking out new information on agencies and programs that would benefit the veteran.
9. Develops networks with a wide array of public and private organizations to meet the needs of veterans. This involves establishing meaningful communications and ongoing dialogue with such agencies in order to keep abreast of new programs, changes, procedures, or other entitlements/ eligibility areas of interest to our veteran population

Budgetary Responsibilities (up to 5% time)

• Provides for maintenance of data related to budget and expenditure estimates. Provides for the best patient care without exceeding allotted budget. Works in close coordination with the ACOS for Mental Health or designee, Health Systems Specialist (HSS) for Mental Health, Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO), VISN 22 Mental Health Lead, and non-profit recipients to provide budget analysis and statistics.

All other duties as assigned.

Salary : $151,520 - $200,000