Registered Nurse - Outpatient Behavioral Health - Education Debt Reduction Program Authorized

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 an 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. Responsibilities Announcement is extended until 11 / 12 / 24 to allow for additional applicants.

The RN Outpatient Behavioral Health (BH) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned Veterans.

Assists in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.

Provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented principles, tele-mental health, community-based care, and self-awareness when caring for Veterans living with BH conditions.

Engages in interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, de-escalation practices, recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans, their families, and significant others on illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.

Assists and / or directs safety concern resolutions and collaborates with program leadership to help improve Veteran and program outcomes care coordination, liaising with Inpatient BH Units, develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups, and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies.

Documents assessments, risk screens, measurement based care tools, clinical reminders, and Veteran care plans following facility policy, maintaining professional boundaries and acting in the Veteran's best interest.

Collaborates within interdisciplinary treatment teams to care for outpatient behavioral health Veterans, and may work or be assigned in specialty service teams such as New Patient Access Team (NPAT), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Hospital Liaison, Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM), Housing and Urban Development- VA Supportive Housing (HUDVASH) Programs.

Behavioral health services provides the following services to include group programming, evidence-based treatments, tele-mental health, medication management, case management / Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC), counseling for couples and families, psychological assessment, and other behavioral health services.

The RN demonstrates leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in assessing, treatment planning, and case managing complex behavioral health needs of Veterans.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1630 Location : One position is at the Main Location in El Paso, and the other position is located at the West side location in El Paso.

Location options will be discussed during interview. Telework : Not available Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized 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 Requirements Conditions of Employment U.

S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959.

You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background / security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMETNS : 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.

Education : 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).

License : 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.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCEB At least 6 months experience working with mental health populations Experience working with interdisciplinary teams Experience working with Veteran or military populations 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 / 12587345. 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 / . Physical Requirements : Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over;
• Straight pulling (6 hour); Pulling hand over hand (0.5 hours); Pushing (6 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers;
• Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (6 hours); Crawling (1 hour); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (6 hours);
• Climbing, legs only (1 hour); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4;
• Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted);

Mental and emotional stability Education EDUCATION ACCREDITATION : The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) must be recognized by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by either of the following accrediting agencies 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) ACEN or CCNE program or degree accreditation may also be found under the U.

S. Department of Education NOTES : Department of Education : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here : http : / / ope.ed.gov / accreditation / . Foreign Education : If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit : http : / / www.ed.gov / about / offices / list / ous / international / usnei / us / edlite-visitus-forrecog.

html. School Name : If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

No longer on accreditation site : If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.

e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.