U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Registered Nurse (ICMHR)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Lufkin, Texas, United States, 75904
Join to apply for the
Registered Nurse (ICMHR)
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $66,883.00/yr - $141,212.00/yr
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 determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after review by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Qualifications
English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Graduate of a professional nursing school approved by an accrediting agency such as ACEN or CCNE.
Or eligible nursing bridge program students who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level degree in Nursing and may be licensed prior to program completion.
Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment after graduation from the bridge program.
Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6.
For foreign nursing graduates: must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration from an approved school of professional nursing to qualify as a Nurse with an associated degree/entry level program.
Foreign evidence: credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized 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, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who meet basic education but lack licensure may be appointed at entry step on a 120‑day temporary appointment while pursuing licensure, extendable up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis.
Grandfathering Provision: All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing duties described in the qualification standard on the effective date (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held.
Grade Determinations: Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met to determine grade and level. Dimension requirements (Practice – Veteran/Patient Driven Care – Leadership – Professional Development and Evidence‑Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade on the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12860884.
Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental knowledge‑based care. Requires an Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing required.
Nurse I – Level II: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts. Requires an ADN or Diploma and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I, or a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience required.
Nurse I – Level III: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on planning and self‑directed goal setting. Requires an ADN or Diploma and 2 years of professional nursing experience with one year equivalent to Nurse I – Level II, or a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level II, or an MSN with no additional professional nursing experience, or a Master’s in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse II: Demonstrates leadership and holistic care. Requires a BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or a Master’s in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience, or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and no professional nursing experience.
Nurse III: Executes responsibilities requiring leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. Requires an MSN with 2 years of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meeting all dimension requirements for Nurse III, or a Master’s in a related field with a BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II.
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Preferred Experience: Psychiatric nursing experience and/or background caring for patients with pervasive mental illness.
Reference for qualification standards: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting – 45 pounds; Moderate lifting – 15‑44 pounds; Light lifting – under 15 pounds.
Heavy carrying – 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying – 15‑44 pounds; Light carrying – under 15 pounds.
Straight pulling (2 hours), pushing (2 hours), both hands required.
Walking (4 hours).
Standing (6 hours).
Repeated bending (2 hours).
Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle.
Vision: Near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other.
Depth perception; hearing (aid may be permitted).
Duties
Manages the care of patients, organizing and prioritizing patient care needs, and ensuring assigned tasks are completed.
Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs using the nursing process aligned with ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
Role models and displays ethical behavior.
Acts as an advocate for patients, families, and caregivers, improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting.
Promotes collaborative behavior and teamwork.
Confidently initiates solutions, remains alert to new opportunities, techniques, and approaches.
Improves effectiveness of communication and interactions with others, inspiring cooperation and confidence for safe and effective outcomes.
Shares knowledge and learning opportunities that enhance nursing practice for self and others.
Participates in the advancement of the profession through mentoring, precepting, and/or teaching.
Models evidence‑based practice/research to improve patient care.
Leads initiatives to expand best techniques and apply patient preferences in shared care delivery decisions.
Benefits include: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards; 50 days paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays); traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions; federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care insurance; one full unrestricted license from any U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth; work schedule Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (subject to change based on facility needs); telework unavailable; virtual position not offered; relocation/incentives not authorized.
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Health Care Provider
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Registered Nurse (ICMHR)
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $66,883.00/yr - $141,212.00/yr
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 determines award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after review by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Qualifications
English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Graduate of a professional nursing school approved by an accrediting agency such as ACEN or CCNE.
Or eligible nursing bridge program students who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level degree in Nursing and may be licensed prior to program completion.
Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment after graduation from the bridge program.
Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6.
For foreign nursing graduates: must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration from an approved school of professional nursing to qualify as a Nurse with an associated degree/entry level program.
Foreign evidence: credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized 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, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who meet basic education but lack licensure may be appointed at entry step on a 120‑day temporary appointment while pursuing licensure, extendable up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis.
Grandfathering Provision: All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing duties described in the qualification standard on the effective date (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held.
Grade Determinations: Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met to determine grade and level. Dimension requirements (Practice – Veteran/Patient Driven Care – Leadership – Professional Development and Evidence‑Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade on the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12860884.
Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental knowledge‑based care. Requires an Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing required.
Nurse I – Level II: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts. Requires an ADN or Diploma and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I, or a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience required.
Nurse I – Level III: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on planning and self‑directed goal setting. Requires an ADN or Diploma and 2 years of professional nursing experience with one year equivalent to Nurse I – Level II, or a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level II, or an MSN with no additional professional nursing experience, or a Master’s in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse II: Demonstrates leadership and holistic care. Requires a BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or a Master’s in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III, or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience, or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and no professional nursing experience.
Nurse III: Executes responsibilities requiring leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. Requires an MSN with 2 years of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meeting all dimension requirements for Nurse III, or a Master’s in a related field with a BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II.
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Preferred Experience: Psychiatric nursing experience and/or background caring for patients with pervasive mental illness.
Reference for qualification standards: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting – 45 pounds; Moderate lifting – 15‑44 pounds; Light lifting – under 15 pounds.
Heavy carrying – 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying – 15‑44 pounds; Light carrying – under 15 pounds.
Straight pulling (2 hours), pushing (2 hours), both hands required.
Walking (4 hours).
Standing (6 hours).
Repeated bending (2 hours).
Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle.
Vision: Near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other.
Depth perception; hearing (aid may be permitted).
Duties
Manages the care of patients, organizing and prioritizing patient care needs, and ensuring assigned tasks are completed.
Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs using the nursing process aligned with ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
Role models and displays ethical behavior.
Acts as an advocate for patients, families, and caregivers, improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting.
Promotes collaborative behavior and teamwork.
Confidently initiates solutions, remains alert to new opportunities, techniques, and approaches.
Improves effectiveness of communication and interactions with others, inspiring cooperation and confidence for safe and effective outcomes.
Shares knowledge and learning opportunities that enhance nursing practice for self and others.
Participates in the advancement of the profession through mentoring, precepting, and/or teaching.
Models evidence‑based practice/research to improve patient care.
Leads initiatives to expand best techniques and apply patient preferences in shared care delivery decisions.
Benefits include: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards; 50 days paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays); traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions; federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care insurance; one full unrestricted license from any U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth; work schedule Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (subject to change based on facility needs); telework unavailable; virtual position not offered; relocation/incentives not authorized.
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Health Care Provider
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr