This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Acute Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) practices on the Acute Psychiatry Inpatient Unit under the Mental Health Division (MHD) within VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The Acute Psychiatry Inpatient Unit is an acute, locked, inpatient unit which specializes in psychiatric care of Veterans, including substance abuse, major mental illnesses, and personality disorders. There may also be instances when patients are admitted with changes in mental status and impaired neurocognitive functioning associated with diagnoses such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia or Alzheimer's. In addition, the incumbent will be cross trained to cover the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) on the Vancouver campus in case of critical staffing needs. The RRTP provides residential rehabilitation services for homelessness and substance abuse. Duties include but not limited to: Provides patient driven care which compels the nurse to view individualized care needs through the eyes of the patient. Delivers nursing care within an interdisciplinary environment to achieve negotiated treatment goals designed to return patients to baseline or an improved mental health and clinical status. Possesses the necessary competencies to provide acute psychiatric care, as well as basic medical care when indicated. Performs milieu management and rounding; engages with patients; participates/leads groups and activities; participates in daily team meetings. Participates in complex discharge/ethical consultation discussions; initiates and concludes restrain and seclusion based on continuous assessment. Provides continuous Nurse 1:1 monitoring, direct observation, close observation. Performs assessment using Pittsburgh Agitation Scale - a specialized RN competency - once per shift on each patient to assess level of agitation and effectiveness of nursing. Performs CPRS documentation/charting; performs pressure injury risk assessment. Performs management of medical equipment such as IVs, feeding tubes, catheters, CPAP. Provides assistance with ADL's and performs medication management. Based on education and experience, the incumbent may be assigned responsibilities as preceptor or charge nurse. 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 Work Schedule: Day Shift 0700 to 1930 or Night shift 1900 to 0730. 3-12hr per week and 1, 8hr shift every other week. Some weekends and Holiday's expected Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Contact, [email protected] the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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: 2 years RN experience, Mental Health, Acute Care and/or Memory Care. 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. 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: Moderate lifting (15-44lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44lbs); Straight pulling (.25hrs);Pulling hand over hand (.25hrs); Pushing (.5hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Standing (2hrs); Walking (6hrs); Kneeling (.5hrs);Repeated bending (.5hrs); 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; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Ability to maintain 12 hour work shifts; Mental and emotional stability required. Environmental Factors: Excessive noise, intermittent; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others; Protracted or irregular hours of work.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: 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/. 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.

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Jordaniel Baynum
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X51192
• Email: [email protected]