Summary The VA Texas Valley Coast Bend Health Care System is seeking a Registered Nurse Case Manager for the Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) Program in Corpus Christi, TX. Responsibilities The Registered Nurse (ICMHR) will execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches in providing complex patient management. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on Mental Health (MH) specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the MH continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines including those related to government issued electronics and vehicle use. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. The Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to patients. They will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and enhance outcomes utilization. The ICMHR program provides clinical community-based case management services to Veterans with pervasive mental illness (PMI), severe functional impairment, and high Inpatient MH unit utilization, in coordination with existing community and Veterans Affairs (VA) services. The ICMHR RN gains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient centered care, recovery-oriented principles, telemental health, community-based care, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with MH conditions. The ICMHR RN 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. The ICMHR RN clinically provides outpatient, community-based MH services for a subgroup of Veterans with PMI; including but not limited to transportation, medication management, in home/community consultation and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. The ICMHR RN documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy. The ICMHR RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. The ICMHR RN collaborates and supports MH nursing along with other disciplines. Validates understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. The ICMHR RN demonstrates the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities, demonstrating proficient practice and decision-making, deliberate planning, and critical thinking skills. Reviews Message Manager and assists Team to address/complete pending alerts communicated throughout tour of duty to facilitate care and address needs of the caller within 48 hours. Completes and documents secure messaging within 72 hours. Surrogate is identified always. Diverts messages to appropriate care lines as needed. Alerts MyHealtheVet coordinator for assistance to prevent incomplete or escalation of messages. Applies skills, such as motivational interviewing and TEACH SMART goals to promote patient self-management toward patient-driven Whole Health plan for life. Promotes health and risk reduction strategies for their ICMHR teamlet through the assessment and utilization of the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) and other performance measures. Utilizes Mental Health voicemail requirements for utilization of voicemail on VHA issued telephones including both landlines and cellular telephones. Completes North-Eastern Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) paperwork (Initial Data Form (IDF)/Follow-up Data Form (FDF)/Clinical Progress Report (CPR) timely and accurately. Work Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (07:00 a.m. - 05:30 pm - Off Tuesdays) 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 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years Ambulatory/Primary Care experience 3 years inpatient/outpatient Adult Mental Health experience 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/12940628. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (0.5 hours); Pushing (0.5 hours); Use of fingers; Reaching above shoulders; Walking (5.3 hours); Standing (5.3 hours); Repeated bending (5.3 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Operation of motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted). Education EDUCATION ACCREDITATION: The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) must be recognized by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by either of the following accrediting agencies 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) ACEN/NLNAC or CCNE program or degree accreditation may also be found under the U.S. Department of Education NOTES: Department of Education: 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/. Foreign Education: 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. School Name: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. No longer on accreditation site: If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet IMPORTANT - Transcript: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.
