The incumbent practices as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) within the Mental Health service primarily located within the Social and Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS) and, occasionally the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP), Tele-mental Health services, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the state of Alaska.

Duties

As a member of an assigned interdisciplinary team or Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), the incumbent will be responsible for providing psychiatric-mental health care to outpatient and inpatient Veterans with chronic or acute mental illness including addictions, changes in mental status, and/or functional decline within the Alaska VA Healthcare System. Direct clinical care duties and responsibilities (80% of position) include but are not limited to: a. Utilizing interpersonal and clinical skills to provide direct mental health services to Veterans for 80% of total available clinic time or 32 hours per week. b. Conducting history and mental health status exams on assigned patients with physical exams being completed when clinically indicated. c. Completing intake assessments and formulating diagnoses. d. Developing, documenting, and updating treatment plans with VHA guidelines and accreditation standards. e. Presenting treatment plans to interdisciplinary treatment teams. f. Ordering all necessary diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies, including laboratory and radiological assessments. g. Prescribing medications and supplies in accordance with VHA policy, VA formulary guidelines, state regulations, and scope of practice. h. Initiating and processing consults. i. Making appropriate referrals for continuation of care and treatment. j. Providing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as indicated in the treatment plan. k. Accurate, effective, and timely documentation of patient encounters within VHA guidelines. l. Completing due clinical reminders with Veterans during scheduled appointments. m. Seeking consultation with physician for out of scope of practice cases. n. Formulating, initiating, and evaluating health care teaching related to patients and their families. o. Acting as a consultant for nursing, medical, and other clinical staff. p. Placing return to clinic orders for patients for follow-up care. Administrative duties and responsibilities (20% of position) include but are not limited to: a. Completing and closing patient encounters within VHA guidelines. b. Preparing for scheduled patient encounters. c. Participating within the MH and S&BHS services to include attending S&BHS staff trainings, Monday Huddles, and MH/S&BHS Monthly Meetings. d. Participating in assigned VISN and National level calls or trainings. e. Participating in developing and implementing service level improvement plans and projects such as completing tracers, performing Environment of Care (EOC) rounds, and accreditation readiness. f. Participating in professional and administrative activities as assigned. g. Remaining current on service Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Medical Center Policies (MCPs), VHA directives, VHA handbooks, Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and accreditation standards. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Telework: Eligible; Ad-hoc - Supervisor disrection Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized; to those that qualify EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. 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. Contract Buy Out Program: This position may be eligible for the Physician / Provider Contract Buy Out Program (CBOP), which authorizes VHA to buy out service contracts (Locum agreements, loan repayments, sign-on bonus contracts, Physician-owned practices) in exchange for employment at certain rural or highly rural facilities for a period of obligated service (minimum 4 years). For additional information and eligibility requirements, contact the VHA Contract Buy Out Program Manager at [email protected].

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. 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. Preferred Experience and Certifications one(1) year providing psychiatric care to adults 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. ($137,247 - $162,979) 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. ($140,925 - $187,422) 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. ($153,607 - $204,295) 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: heavy lifting (45lbs & over); moderate carrying (15-44lbs); straight pulling (1hr); pulling hand over hand; pushing (2hrs); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (2hrs); standing (2hrs); kneeling (1hr); repeated bending (1hr); both legs required; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; 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; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); emotional/mental stability Environmental Factors: outside & inside; dry atmospheric conditions; excessive noise, intermittent; constant noise; dust; silica, asbestos, etc.; fumes, smoke, or gases; radiant energy; electrical energy; slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working with hands in water; vibration; working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; working with hazardous drugs.

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 Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: MICHAEL LOKRANTZ
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X57331
• Email: [email protected]