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 Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Nurse Practitioner (NP) will report directly to the BHIP Team Supervisor on their respective BHIP Team, who is supervised by the BHIP Program Coordinator. The incumbent is accountable for the behavioral health medication management and evaluation of patients under their care and holds clinical privileges and practices in collaboration with the Mental Health team. Clinical core privileges will include medical management, treatment, and ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests for a broad variety of mental health disorders and patients. The BHIP NP will be responsible for familiarizing themselves with the various mental health disorders and management guidelines, as provided by the American Psychiatric Association DSM 5-TR. Location of duty is either at the main campus within the Mental Health Clinic in Tucson, AZ or at one of the seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Duties: The BHIP NP provides buprenorphine treatment for opiate use disorder maintenance. This requires that the incumbent APRN possess a DEA-X certificate. The BHIP NP maintains a buprenorphine clinic for treatment of opiate use disorder. The Incumbent will assist with coverage of BHIP psychiatric providers to include other nurse practitioners, physicians, and pharmacists, as their privileges permit. The incumbent will provide care to patients in the outpatient general mental health setting (BHIP) either on the main campus or in one of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics, acting on behalf of the patient to assure that necessary clinical services are received, and that progress is being made toward Mental Health care goals. The BHIP NP may also care for patients through My HealtheVet web site secure messaging or by telephone communication. The BHIP NP follows national guidelines and processes to execute core clinical privileges. The incumbent may request additional delineated privileges per Credentialing and Privileging policy and regulation. The incumbent examines patients and establishes a medical diagnosis by patient history, physical examination and relevant data such as laboratory and radiographic studies. The NP is responsible for ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies to identify, develop and implement a plan of care for patient medical need. The Incumbent consults and acquires, and coordinates services based on the patient need and demonstrates sound decision-making skills in determining plan of care and recognizes when patients are beyond their education, credentialing and responsibilities and arrange for transfer to appropriate provider or service. The BHIP NP prescribe and dispenses medication in accordance with Arizona Board of Nursing Practice Act, SAVAHCS policies the Drug Enforcement (DEA) Act. DEA registration is required. The BHIP NP also adheres to VHA and SAVAHCS documentation and compliance standards. The scope of service coordination will be throughout the continuum of care to assure that care is timely, appropriate, of high quality and cost effective. In addition, the BHIP NP coordinates care to the BHIP NP refers patients to their PACT team for follow up care as needed. Follow up diagnostic studies in addition to the acute needs for diagnosis and treatment will be referred again to the assigned BHIP NP panel for ongoing care management services. The incumbent will provide a leadership role in the department that includes innovation, consultation, advocacy, accountability, and responsibility for improved SAVAHCS Mental Health services and participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement in Mental Health and Community Clinics. The incumbent will make appropriate recommendations or changes in practice based on feedback and data collected on patients and assume accountability as a NP by accepting responsibility as a care provider, recognizing own abilities and limitations, and consistently seeks guidance and learning experiences that provide professional and personal growth. Mental Health The SAVAHCS Mental Health Service values cultural diversity across our staff and training programs. Mental Health Service leaders are deeply committed to fostering an environment that is highly sensitive to and appreciative of all aspects of diversity. Our staff represent a variety of cultural backgrounds, competencies, interests, and theoretical orientations VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30AM-4:00PM or 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Available Telework within the local area. Virtual: This is not a virtual position or remote position EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN 22 HR Education Reimbursement Team @ [email protected] the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance. Learn more. Restriction apply Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 - Extensive experience in Outpatient Mental Health Services Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse II - 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Elena Gonzalez
• Phone: 858-623-1850
• Email: [email protected]