Summary

The 2NE Nurse is a professional (RN) who provides high-quality - evidence-based care for a culturally diverse Veteran population with complex behavioral problems. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. These services are provided in the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) - utilizing all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative interdisciplinary practice setting.

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
• U.S. Citizenship
• non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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/13075620
• 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
• The following Scope - Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.)
• Pushing
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 6 hours)
• Standing (up to 6 hours)
• Kneeling (Intermittent);Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13 "" to 16""
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional and Mental Stability.

Duties

• The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) provides and leads the provision of competent - evidence-based care - the psychiatric MH nurse independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care - milieu management - and maintains self awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• They facilitate shift reports - warm hand-offs - and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• use therapeutic communication techniques - practice de-escalation techniques - and utilize recovery-oriented language
• The nurse actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team - MH Environment of Care rounds - assumes team lead for psychiatric emergencies - reports and assists in resolving safety concerns - and documents nursing assessments - nursing plan of care - patient safety observations - and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Has oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH interdisciplinary team
• Supports colleagues through MH knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Shares MH educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers
• Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
• Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture
• The RN uses Situation - Background - Assessment - and Recommendation (SBAR) and plan of care (POC) for bedside report - documents using CPRS and ICCA - updates care plans as needed on Mental Health Suite (MHS) - and administer medications using the BCMA system
• The RN will administer and monitor the effects of medications - including PRN effectiveness - and document accordingly
• The RN will follow all protocols - SOPs - and guidelines
• The RN effectively implements patient activities toward health promotion and disease prevention - assisting the Veteran in attaining optimal levels of function through direct care - rehabilitation - and supportive measures to maintain the highest level of ADLs
• Document hourly rounding - as needed to meet the level of care appropriately
• The RN will retrieve and respond to all emails promptly
• The RN will conduct and participate in debriefings following patient safety incidents - Code responses - and other urgent situations
• Preferred Experience: BSN 3+ years Inpatient Mental Health Nursing Experience 1-2 years Med-Surgical or Acute Care Experience 1 year of Acute or Specialty Care Experience Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0630-1900 & alternate weekends
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.