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 (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. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. They will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse practices within Outpatient MH programs, including Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder program, and Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI), and Mental Health Triage. The nurse will provide assessment and intervention services for patients enrolled. Patient populations include Veterans who present with the full range of DSM-5 mental disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. Patients are likely to present with co-morbid medical conditions, functional decline, and unstable living conditions. The nurse leads within a framework of a High Reliability Organization with culture of safety founded on a systems approach to developing health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness. Mental Health RN are constantly building upon current clinical competencies. Serves as an advocate for the veteran and is obligated to demonstrate nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory attitudes and behaviors that are sensitive to veteran diversity. The RN is accountable to function as an effective team member, team leader, preceptor and/or charge nurse. The Outpatient Mental Health RN will provide assessment and intervention services for Veterans enrolled in the Transmagnetic Stimulation program. These positions will require standing and walking for extended periods of time as well as hearing and vision corrected to the near normal range. RN will perform other duties under the direction of the nurse manager or designee as assigned. The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Attends and participates in MH interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings. Uses therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques. Utilizes recovery oriented language, and provides Veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plan. Participates in warm hand-off, care coordination, liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. Documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy. Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Provides direct patient care including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and clinical support. Provides acute and routine psychiatric assessment and intervention for a variety of bio-psychosocial, PTSD, SUD, and medical concerns and assists the RRT Program staff in developing a recovery-based plan of care for the patients. Works directly with the RRTP professionals, psychiatric, and clinical staff to support clinical treatment. Collaborates with patients, staff, and other care providers. Administer medications and complete other applicable psychosocial interventions. Uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice in assessing patients' medical and MH needs, developing initial care plans, monitoring patients' status, and providing transitional care, all from a perspective of recovery-oriented, personalized, proactive, patient centered, holistic treatment approach. Work Schedule: Full Time, 07:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Day Shift Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. 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 Position is located at the William "Bill" Kling Outpatient Clinic: 9800 West Commercial Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33351-4325 Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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/12887944. 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: Three (3) to Five (5) years of Mental Health Nursing Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. 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. The environment's pace can vary. The incumbent must have the ability to priority patient care needs. Weight limitations vary depending on area of service and functional duties. This position requires cross training to the Acute Inpatient Mental Health Unit, Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC), Outpatient Substance Abuse Clinic (OSAC), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP), Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PTSD-RRTP). Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
