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RN, Mental Health (Women Health Clinic).

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
May 6, 2021

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Duties

Summary

The Mental Health Nurse demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. He/she is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within the facility, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), or Veterans Administration Central Office (VACO).
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Responsibilities

Mental Health RN (Women's Health)

The program is defined as a sustainable coordinated group of activities impacting patients and/or employees. He/she demonstrates (a) Leading and organizing delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning; (b) Using advanced clinical knowledge judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes, (c) Functioning as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, (d) Systematically evaluating current practice, and formulating outcomes for groups of practices and/or organizational processes within an area of expertise, (e) Guiding, developing, and supporting staff from a leadership perspective, and (f) Using professional standards of care scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities.

The primary purpose of the Mental Health Nurse position is to demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration strategies with others to provide comprehensive nursing care to the patients in his/her assigned area. The Mental Health RN functions independently and manages the care of a group of patients and caregivers, and collaborates with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) in contributing to a holistic care plan. He/she tracks and communicates regularly with patients designated to be high-risk regarding their psychiatric or mental health disease management. This patient population is defined as those which certain chronic psychiatric or mental health diseases, those patients who frequently come to the clinic without making appointments, those patients who routinely seek non-urgent care in the Emergency Department, and those patients who are frequently admitted to the hospital. The Mental Health RN communicates with patients after discharge from the Emergency Department, the acute care units of the medical center, or any private sector facility to ensure prompt and effective follow-up of care in coordination with the patient's Primary Care Physician (PCP). He/she helps coordinate VA sub-specialty clinic appointments and assists patients in navigating the healthcare system. He/she communicates results or laboratory studies, radiological results, and any new plan of care under the guidance of the PCP as well as the rest of the PACT members. The Mental Health RN provides patient and family education that focuses on self-management, prevention and wellness based patient goals. He/she is self-directed in goal setting, and in the management of complex patient condition and response to treatment. The Mental Health RN initiates follow-up as needed. He/she provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to the adult or elderly patient and family's diversity, preserving their autonomy, dignity and rights.

The Mental Health Nurse focuses on problems, initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate. He/she accurately documents in the medical record patient findings, assessments, and care provided. He/she assigns staff to provide care based on staff competencies and identifies priorities to ensure safe and effective patients care. He/she demonstrates and/or verbalizes correct responses to emergencies as well as initiates effective action in emergencies. The Mental Health RN demonstrates understanding of infection control precautions appropriate for the patient population. He/she participates/ leads unit-based shared governance, performance improvement and safety initiatives. He/she serves as a resource nurse. He/she pursues an education plan to maintain/improve knowledge in his/her clinical specialty in nursing. He/she participates in educational activities to improve and maintain clinical knowledge and skills and enhance role performance. The Mental Health RN leads others in the application of knowledge/skills in caring for patients. He/she assumes responsibility/accountability for evaluation of all delegated tasks and is self-directed in the identification of learning needs and development of individual performance plans. He/she initiates and utilizes positive, effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation, teamwork, and effective interaction with internal and external customers.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday with rotating shifts. Some weekend shifts could be required.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination


Qualifications

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.
  • Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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 ). 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.
  • Proficient in speaking, reading, and understanding the English language.
  • Physically, mentally and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position.
Preferred Experience:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred.
  • Recent experience in Mental Health within last 2 years preferred.
  • Current BLS certification required
  • Knowledge or prevention management of disruptive behavior or CPI
  • ANCC certification in Mental Health Nursing is preferred.
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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree.
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: It is VA policy to ensure that all selected applicants and employed personnel are physically, mentally and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned. A pre-placement physical examination is required for all full-time, part-time and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019. The pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment to determine the physical and mental fitness for candidates for appointment in VA. The examination will be concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and will include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists
  • Resume


VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

Resume
    • Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
    • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain your name, hours worked per week and the dates of employment with a detailed description of the duties performed (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
    • If you are claiming licensure, you must include the License Type, Expiration date, Licensure Number.
    • If you are using education and or certifications, this information must be clearly stated in the body of your resume. You must include Name, School and type of Degree and Year of Graduation, certifications must include certifying body, certification number and expiration of certification. Credentials beside your name will not be used to meet best qualified qualifications.
    • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
    • For additional information see: What to include in your resume .
Unofficial transcript (Note: if selected for position, official transcripts will be required)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • OF-306
  • VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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