The Behavioral Health Integrated Program (BHIP) Registered Nurse (RN) works with other Mental Health Services to develop and implement comprehensive outpatient mental health care for the adult/geriatric veteran patient population. This position services Rocky Mountain regional hospital in Aurora, Colorado as well as the local Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Duties

The BHIP RN (RN) practices as an RN in the ECHCS Mental Health Outpatient Clinics. The RN provides specialized services in mental health/substance abuse care to Veterans with either (or both) psychiatric illness and substance abuse, including nursing assessment, nursing diagnosis, and treatment of these mental health problems. This includes the following; triage, referral, and treatment of Veterans with mental health/substance abuse problems, providing case management services, supporting medication management, co-leading group therapy sessions, providing supportive counseling, and providing psychoeducation. The RN may participate in medication clinics providing support to prescribing clinicians, providing assessment and/or administering prescribed medications while providing medication education to Veterans and their families. The RN demonstrates a high level of clinical practice and leadership; and excellent interpersonal relationship skills in interpreting and communicating service and organizational goals, policies, and procedures to staff, patients, and the interdisciplinary health care team. The RN must possess skills to provide treatment for behavioral health disorders as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team. The RN plans, organizes, and when appropriate, directs and supervises the activities of others to complete assignments in a safe and timely manner. The RN demonstrates excellent communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal relationships. Based on education, experience, and competency, the RN may be assigned responsibilities as preceptor, and/or charge nurse. The RN functions as a resource for colleagues as needed. The RN 1) applies the nursing process to systems to improve care 2) demonstrates leadership by involving others 3) supports and enhances client self-determination 4) serves as a resource for clients and staff in resolving ethical issues 5) identifies resource utilization and safety issues taking appropriate action 6) acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in areas of practice 7) participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge 8) evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and takes action to improve performance 9) uses the group process to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems 10) educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a preceptor and/or mentor 11) initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in improved outcomes 12) uses a body of research to validate and/or change work group practice. The RN provides Recovery-Oriented, Veteran centered care, to a large caseload of complex mentally ill Veterans on specific Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team(s), within the scope of his/her practice. The RN provides care management assistance for other BHIP teams as required; as well as Veteran outreach for Veterans pending BHIP enrollment. The RN provides strong liaison services between the Veteran and other members of the BHIP team and as a liaison between the Veteran and other medical, pharmaceutical, or community services. Strong communication across Mental Health Services programs and the Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) is another component of this role. The RN provides crisis intervention services (nursing assessment of needs and safety concerns) and then links the Veteran to the proper services for appropriate intervention. The RN provides health triage both on the phone and video as indicated with the goal of meeting the needs of the Veteran in a timely manner. The RN provides timely telephone outreach to Veterans to address identified needs within the MH Service and/or to facilitate the Veteran in accessing services. The RN provides collaboration with families (given confidentiality concerns) to support the Veteran's recovery goals. The RN provides medication management support services to prescribers and Veterans including within the designated medication clinics to provide injections and pillbox services. The RN provides health education as needed and as defined by the RN Scope of Practice in the management of medication. 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: Tour of duty will be 7:30 am to 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Available (ADHOC only) 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year or more experience working with mental health populations Working within interdisciplinary teams Working with Veterans or Military populations Administering long-acting injection medications Transcranial magnetic stimulation and/or esketamine treatment experience CPRS computer systems experience 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: This 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 inpatient 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 a 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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Julia Heath
• Phone: (720) 723-4804
• Email: [email protected]