Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees Develops performance standards Evaluates work performance of subordinates Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignments to such positions Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to Mental Health Care Line Executive Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training Finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work directed Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of safety regulations Furthers the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, and affirmative action in the following: (1) merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applicants; (2) fair treatment of all employees; (3) encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; (4) career development of employees; and (5) full utilization of their skills Coordinates services offered to Veterans and their families enrolled in the program. Services include assessment, medication management, crisis intervention, educational, individual, family, and group treatment, case management and specialized psychological testing. Formulates, interprets, and implements policies and procedures pertaining to quality mental health care in a mental health program to assure compliance with internal and external performance standards Develops effective programs and treatment strategies for mental health program patients and their families Directs and guides various mental health disciplines within the mental health program to assure efficiency, including the scheduling of activities, the redesign of workloads, daily monitoring of the operations of the program, and feedback to other managers about staff performance within the context of program evaluation and measuring outcome of services provided Participates in recruitment procedures and interviews to select personnel for mental health program Evaluates current program services in a systematic manner, including the collection, tabulation, and presentation of program statistics, trends, and outcome measures Interfaces with other program directors, the Mental Health Care Line Executive Office, and VA personnel Advises the Associate Chief of Staff, Mental Health on relevant programmatic issues with recommendations for improvement in service delivery Collaborates with other program directors and managers as a member of the Mental Health Leadership Advisory Council Adheres to the requirements of the Master Agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Federation of Government Employees Prepares and implements grant and contract proposals. These may be for Veteran or non-veteran populations Responsible for complete, independent program and fiscal oversight Monitors and administers VISN and VHA performance standards Maintains liaison with local, state, and national organizations related to content field of program (e.g. behavioral health care, telemedicine) Attends VISN and VHA meetings as requested, either as consultant or member. Serves as the care line's representative regarding this program during external site visits or reviews (e.g. JCAHO, VISN, OIG) Justifies the purchase of new equipment Oversees the development of technical data, estimates, statistics, suggestions, and other information useful to higher level managers in determining goals and objectives, and other management strategies Improves work methods and procedures used to produce work products Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures within Program to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at higher echelons. Clinical responsibility as defined in approved delineated clinical privileges Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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. Physical Requirements: Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only. The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The VA Medical Center is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires visual acuity (glasses permitted), keen hearing (hearing aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (up to 8 hours), standing (up to 8 hours), stooping, sitting, bending (up to 8 hours), pulling, and pushing. Light lifting under 15 lbs. Light carrying 15-44 lbs. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Use of rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. 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. 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.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Julie Boston
• Phone: 228-229-6027
• Email: [email protected]