The psychiatric nurse practitioner (NP) is responsible for the care and administrative needs of mental health patients in outpatient settings. The NP also functions as a coordinator between the attending physician and the other team members to include nurses and PA's, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, LMFTs, LPCs, addiction therapists and other clinic personnel.

Duties

The psychiatric nurse practitioner provides medical care and evaluation for both psychiatry outpatients in outpatient clinics. These patients often have concomitant medical problems and are multi-symptomatic. Further duties of the position are, but not limited to: Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations, including initial assessment interviews, history, and physical exams; lab, imaging, medication and psychotherapy consultation orders, aftercare plans and follow up visits. Provide appropriate follow up care including reassessments of diagnoses and conditions, medication adjustments, and any further tests or consults indicated. Provide mental health education /counseling and brief therapy of patients and their families. Conduct ongoing follow up appointments for stable patients, including regular refills of medications, required lab and other tests and documenting progress. Perform examinations and screening scales (such as AIMS, MoCA, HAM-D) and similar non-invasive examinations specific to the ongoing care of psychiatric patients. Order appropriate laboratory tests, imaging studies, EKGs (electrocardiograms), and similar noninvasive tests Initiating and expediting consultation requests and scheduling special tests. Hold scheduled appointments for outpatients to observe and record patients' medical progress, and notifying the supervising physician of significant changes in patients' condition. Provide education and counseling of the patient and the patient's family in preventive care, medical conditions, and the use of prescribed treatments and medications. Perform preventive health activities. Order appropriate prosthetic devices and medical equipment. Record notes on all procedures performed for which the PA is responsible. Recommend ECT or TMS if appropriate. Case management. Perform treatment planning in an outpatient setting. Integrate the activities of the psychiatry clinic with other patient care programs at the facility. Other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday to Friday Telework: The psychiatry position is on-site but may be approved for part-time telework on recurring days, depending on business need. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. EDRP: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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 -Mental Health 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 - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - 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: Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; 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. 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. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. 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. If providing care within the in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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: Chris David
• Phone: 541-537-0650
• Email: [email protected]