RN-Staff Nurse - ACN-Mental Health (Open Continuous)

GENERAL DUTIES
Under the Direction of the Associate Chief Nurse for Mental Health (IMH) the Staff Nurse will effectively implement health promotion, illness prevention, and care management responsibilities for adult or older adult psychiatric patients requiring skilled nursing interventions in an inpatient setting. Psychiatric staff nurses typically provide care to patients with complex, acute or chronic psychiatric conditions, patients with cognitive impairments and/or patients in acute withdrawal from substance abuse disorders. The psychiatric staff nurse is able to assess for the presence of suicidal and homicidal intentions and provide the appropriate level of observation. The incumbent utilizes the nursing process when assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and documenting nursing care provided. She/he works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team when planning and providing care to adults and geriatric psychiatric patients and their families. The incumbent functions as a champion and advocate for the provision of recovery focused services to Veterans. As such, the incumbent is expected to model Recovery and its defined values in all aspects of her or his professional activities and partnerships.

Work Schedule:
Variable shifts. The hours that the candidate is willing to work will be discussed at the time of the interview and negotiated. Hours may be rotated or extended based upon the needs of the Medical Center or our Veterans

Functional Statement Title/#: Inpatient Mental Health Staff Nurse

The incumbent for this position is not required to file a financial disclosure reportBasic Requirements:

• United States 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 State-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). 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: Candidates with 2-3 years of experience in a Psychiatric/Mental Health setting are highly desired.

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 - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree.

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:
Registered Nurse Functional Requirements:
Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
Pushing (up to 2 hours)
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

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's, etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214
• OF-306
• VA Form 10-2850a
• Other Veterans Document
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50
• Transcript