Summary

This Registered Nurse - Mental Health BHIP (non-MHTC) (Richmond) positions are located at the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond - Virginia. Please learn more about the position below - along with the duties.

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/12723428
• 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/
• Preferred Experience: -2-3 years recent Nursing experience -2-3 year of Mental Health experience -Mental Health Certification Preferred Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs and repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours)
• Pushing (up to 4 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours)
• Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional and Mental Stability: 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.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse - Mental Health BHIP (non-MHTC) (Richmond) is a vital member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team
• The MH BHIP RN uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the core team - which includes - the Veteran and/or family - Psychiatrist - Psychologist - Nurse Practitioner(s) - Case Managers/LCSW and the MSA
• The RN is responsible for working closely with Licensed Independent Providers to assure high quality care to the Veterans with Psychiatric/MH needs and to foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness and available resources
• Duties and responsibilities for these positions include but are not limited to the following: - Administer long-acting injectable medications - including antipsychotics and opiate antagonists
• -Obtain VS - weights - EKGs - medication refills - etc
• per policy and procedures
• -Facilitates daily huddles and weekly inter-disciplinary team meetings
• Actively participate in team meetings and other MH meetings as appropriate
• -Identify high risk patients to be seen by Providers daily or weekly - review follow up appointments and check status of consults
• -Track and follow-up with Veterans with high risk behavioral and suicide flags and those identified for Reach Vet
• -Provide outreach to no-show Veterans or those who failed to schedule follow-up appointments
• -Track treatment plans and alert Providers for necessity to review/update plans as appropriate
• -Respond to MHV (secured messages) and phone calls from Veterans and address concerns as needed (i.e
• getting reconnected with services - reschedule appointments - sending medication refill requests)
• -Identify Veterans utilizing ED/SOS frequently and provide outreach to assist with connecting to appropriate level of care
• Collaborate and provide SOS Clinic coverage as needed
• -Identity Veterans who are seen under Primary Care Services and assist with transfer of care back to Provider
• -Collaborate with Specialty care clinics - to assist with establishing proper resources
• -Track progress of community care referrals
• -Work with the Recovery Coordinator to assist Veterans with services within the community
• -Educate Veterans/families regarding MH illnesses - medication and treatment plans
• -Facilitate psycho-educational and support groups as necessary
• -Other job related duties as necessary to support the facility's MISSION and VISION - providing high quality patient-centered healthcare
• -Other duties as assigned (may be floated to other MH Outpatient Clinic to provide support) 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: Monday through Friday - 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards