Registered Nurse (Inpatient Mental Health Resource Nurse)

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.

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/12845845

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: Experience in inpatient psychiatric or mental health nursing

Demonstrated ability in mentoring and supporting others in clinical practice

Active participation in nursing committees or shared governance

Proven ability to serve as a role model of exemplary nursing care

Strong skills in collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork

Demonstrated leadership in clinical education or staff development

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work effectively in a dynamic - team-based environment

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: Position is subject to a pre-employment physical and medical examination

This position requires: lifting - carrying

reaching above shoulder

use of fingers

walking (8 hours)

standing (8 hours)

repeated bending

working alone

protracted or irregular hours of work and occasional emotional strain.

Duties

This Registered Nurse position is within the Inpatient Mental Health (MH) service at the Bedford VA Healthcare System - located in Bedford - MA

This position is permanent and full-time at 40 hours per week

This position plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of high-quality - recovery-oriented care to Veterans with mental health conditions

They serve as a clinical leader - educator - and mentor - supporting staff development and promoting best practices in psychiatric nursing care

Duties include - but are not limited to: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to enhance care outcomes - foster critical thinking - and support decision-making

Supports staff development through mentoring - education - competency assessments - and orientation of new employees

Engages patients - families - and other caregivers to incorporate knowledge - values - and beliefs into care planning without judgement or discrimination

Serves as a subject matter expert in managing medical needs of Veterans in a mental health setting

Participates in educational initiatives that expand knowledge to improve outcomes within the immediate practice setting

Provides support in activities that foster competence - critical thinking - and decision making

Participates in relevant nursing committees to advocate for - and represent - unit staff - and bring best practices back to the units for dissemination

Provide cross-coverage and support across other inpatient mental health units as needed

Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files - release of access codes - etc.

and Performs other duties as assigned

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) Work Schedule: Full-time - 7:30am to 4:00pm day-shift with rotating shifts as needed and alternating weekends

Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized by the supervisor

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive

Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions/assistance

Learn more Notifications: Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action)

This position is in the Excepted Service

The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

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