The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being.

Duties

The Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Nurse in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is a vital member of the Mental Health Team who works in collaboration with licensed independent providers (LIPs) to assure high quality care to the Veteran with psychiatric diagnoses/mental health needs. The BHIP Nurse works closely within an interdisciplinary team framework to help foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness by providing assessments, planning, interventions and evaluation of treatment (Office of Mental Health Operations). Mental health treatment provided is documented within prescribed guidelines in CPRS. The individual practices as an RN for Montana VA Health Care System at Bozeman, MT and surrounding CBOCs and clinics. The RN supports the mission and vision of the health care system. The RN incorporates case management standards of practice relating to consult review and processing to include collaborative assessments, planning, facilitation, communication, and advocacy that promote quality cost-effective outcomes. This RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction, and acts as the patient's advocate. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs. The RN will have communication skills to include self­-awareness, conflict management, negotiation, advocacy, listening, and techniques for delivering critical information. The nurse's primary responsibility is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses) Additional duties may apply. This nurse will be self-directed in completing orientation and on-going mandatory education, actively participating in annual competency assessment and validation. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Provide Veterans and their family members with education regarding their illness, medications and treatment plan Provide outreach to clients who are having problems with treatment adherence and who may be relapsing Coordinate with other agencies and make referrals to provide patients with necessary community services Refer to, consult with and coordinate care with other VA health care providers. Assess patients and provide additional support with LIPs6. Facilitate psycho-educational and support groups Act as liaison between Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units to facilitate continuity of care Provide coverage as needed for other staff in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic Complete Mental Health Treatment Coordinator assignments Initiate Treatment plan Perform triage for telephone calls, walk-ins, patients who are in crisis, and call-offs Specific prescriber directed tasks which can include coordinating refills, consult on laboratory results and providing physician instruction to patients Triaging risk assessment and treatment for patients presenting to outpatient behavioral health Participate in the daily consult team and assist with triage and treatment plan for Veterans requesting new and follow up appointments Perform nursing duties to assist SHIP team to include taking vitals and giving injections Use non-traditional approaches to care including Telehealth, MyHealthEVet, and Telephone VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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: Monday through Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm 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 position requires visual acuity, keen hearing , clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical impatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be mature flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities, based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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: Mary Pierce
• Phone: 406-447-7559
• Email: [email protected]