Registered Nurse - Mental Health

Description:

The Registered Nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health.

Requirements:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of Mental Health and Substance abuse experience

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 - Diploma or associate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level II - Diploma or associate degree in nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 1. or Bachelor's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level III - Diploma or associate degree in nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience, 1 of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2. or Bachelor's degree in nursing and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2. or Master's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience. or Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse II - Bachelor's degree in nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience, 1 of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3. or Master's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 3. or Master's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 3. or Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3. or Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. or Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing with 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or Doctorate degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirement for Nurse III. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

DIMENSION OF NURSING: Practice Veterans / Patient Driven Care Leadership Professional Development Evidence-Based Practice / Research

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: 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.