The incumbent practices as a Registered Nurse within Mental Health for the Montana VA Health Care System. S/he supports the mission and vision of the Montana VA Health Care System. S/he will maintain up to date training and competencies, Talent Management System (TMS) modules and certifications required for this position as a Clinical rTMS Nurse Treatment Operator, self directed in completing clinic duties and will conduct themselves in a professional manner while providing quality of care.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Ensure completion of the initial screening, which consists of verifying the Veteran's identity and assessing for changes in medications, side effects, medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts. rTMS is recommended for specific patients with depression, and a comprehensive initial assessment is conducted by rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner prior to starting rTMS to screen for the appropriateness of the treatment. Provide daily screenings of neuromodulation patients. This screening includes inquiries regarding changes in medication, sleep status, mood or anxiety related to neuromodulation therapy; assessing for use of substances and knowledge of medication/substance use relevant to neuromodulation therapy; and evaluating the veteran for any worn metal that needs removal. Provide pre-treatment education for all interested Veterans and potential new patients. After the rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner has determined that a patient is clinically appropriate, has no contraindications, would benefit from rTMS therapy, and has written the order for rTMS therapy in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), the rTMS Clinical Nurse Treatment Operator will provide procedure instructions to the patient. Identify patients, verifies that proper informed consent has been obtained, obtains patient consent for treatment, and documents consent in the patient record. Provide support to the rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or their designee during motor threshold (MT) determination. This requires familiarity with MT procedures, including careful clinical observation and assistance with identification of rTMS-induced movement. It also requires ability to consider changes in clinical status that might impact MT and alerting the rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Gather medical history and other required pertinent information prior to and during rTMS therapy; administer mental health rating scales and other assessments as needed for clinic patients. This includes maintaining sufficient rating scale packets, administering them, collecting scores, and reviewing results for immediate clinical needs (i.e., report of active suicidal or homicidal ideation with a plan), and contacting the rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner if this occurs. Conduct, coordinate, or order various medical tests (such as audiometry), labs (such as urine drug screens and alcohol tests) according to protocol (or as directed by rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Administer rTMS treatments under the supervision of the rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner; provide supervised daily operation of rTMS Clinic devices. These operations include: starting the device; pre-setting head rest positions; placing the coil in the machine; attaching barrier protective covers as needed; observing equipment alarms during treatments; maintaining contact between the coil and patient's scalp to ensure effective treatment; correctly positioning the patient; safely assisting Veterans out of the rTMS device following treatment; troubleshooting other common treatment delivery issues; and following and monitoring treatment doses as ordered, based on specific doses as prescribed by the rTMS Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Identify any significant changes prior to and during treatments. Some changes in the patient's condition require File electronic medical record treatment notes daily in CPRS, documenting the procedures performed under the appropriate note title and following established forms filled with relevant data from the day's treatment. Serve as a primary contact for patients and family members throughout their evaluations and courses of treatment. May include driving mobile unit to various locations to support and provide rTMS treatment throughout VAMT. Must maintain a valid driver's license and complete all assigned driver safety courses. After initial training must demonstrate the ability to independently set up mobile unit and safely operate equipment to provide rTMS treatment. 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: 8:00 A.M.- 4:30 P.M. Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The positions requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Maria Renlund
• Phone: 303-202-8658
• Email: [email protected]