The HPACT Mental Health Registered Nurse (MH RN) provides assessment and intervention services for patients enrolled in HJCR. 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 or literal homelessness. The HPACT MH RN functions as part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of psychiatric nurse practitioners, medical nurse practitioners, social workers, and other mental health professionals.
The HPACT MH RN promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. The HPACT MH 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 HPACT MH 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 HPACT MH RN also 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. The HPACT MH RN documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy. The HPACT MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
Major Duties:
- Obtains a health history of referred patients; data collection includes lifestyle patterns, pain issues, sleep/activity levels, support systems, cultural, social and ethnic factors, patient treatment preferences and goals.
- Administers long-acting injectable medications, including antipsychotics and opiate antagonists. - Administers screening tools, including PHQ9, GAD, PCL, SLUMS, Suicide Risk Assessment, and Audit C.
- Monitors ongoing treatments for adherence, medication side effects, and clinical outcomes, including worsening of symptoms, impairment, therapeutic response, and provide and/or coordinate appropriate follow up.
- Triages and applies a collaborative team approach in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems.
- Assesses patients and provides additional support between visits as needed; provides outreach to patients who are having problems with treatment adherence.
- Provides psychosocial support, assists with problem solving, development of coping skills, and supports the Veteran's personal goals for recovery.
- Assists in determining appropriate scheduling based on patient's clinical need: right person, right place, right time.
- Collaborates with ancillary team members and resources within the clinic to manage clinic access issues. This may include assisting other nursing staff with maintaining clinic flow.
- Exhibits leadership in promoting proactive and evidence-based care by bringing research and data to the team and leading process improvements to keep team practices current.
- Promotes patient, family and team interactions, and problem solving by actively participating in interdisciplinary meetings to facilitate coordination and the achievement of identified goals.
- Collaborates with patients to assess and identify needs, issues, care goals, and resources for achieving desired outcomes post hospital recovery and health maintenance/wellness by effectively using Motivational Interviewing and TEACH techniques.
- Serves as liaison to the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit as needed to facilitate continuity of care post-discharge.
- Utilizes approved Protocols and Guidelines to facilitate autonomy in providing care. Works at the top of scope of practice. - Accurately documents coordination and care provided in CPRS.
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
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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, resume, 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, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered 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 five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. 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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Cover Letter
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DD-214/ Statement of Service
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Disability Letter (VA)
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License
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Other (1)
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Performance Appraisal
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Professional Certification
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Resume
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SF-15
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SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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Transcript
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
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.