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 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing care to patients in the Mental Health Department, utilizing nationally approved guidelines and standards of care. They will act as as advocate and direct patients with psychiatric conditions through the diagnostics phase of medical care. Delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with an interdisciplinary team. Diagnosis and management of acute and chronic psychiatric conditions, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team lead by the Chief of Psychiatry. Provides psychiatric care according to standard guidelines for medical and advanced nursing interventions. Collects and synthesizes patient data utilizing critical thinking skills to formulate a comprehensive plan of care. Preforms data collections and analysis for the purpose of improving care to patient groups, maximizing utilization of resources, and enhancing overall patient care. Performs initial psychiatric comprehensive evaluations on new patients, provides access to walk in patients, triage patients, or inpatients. Develops treatment plans. Manages ongoing treatment of follow-up patients. Coordinates care for psychiatric patients. Provides psychiatric interventions for walk-in/access, clinic, or the Emergency Department. Manages inpatient care by making rounds, documenting progress, and modifying treatment plans. Participates in Mental Health after-hours call as delegated by the Chief of Psychiatry or service line manager. Acts as preceptor to APRN nursing students and other learners who rotate through the Behavior Health Clinic. Completes all other duties as assigned by the Chief of Psychiatry or service line manager. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Ad Hoc telework eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. 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 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 and approximately 2-3 year's 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: NPs require visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting of at least 35 pounds. Transferring/lifting patients and objects may be required. Staff may be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. They may also be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Travel between VA EKHCS campuses and to Community Based Outpatient Clinics may be required. The TVC NP must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. They may be exposed, on a short-term basis to fumes, dust, and other debris. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as EKHCS is a 24/7 hospital, and Nurses are identified as an essential worker.

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 Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Jonathan Akers
• Phone: (913) 682-2000
• Email: [email protected]