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 Acute Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) practices with the VA Portland Health Care System Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences Division for the Acute Psychiatric Patient Care Line. Duties include but not limited to: Provides emergent and transitional mental healthcare which includes assessment, diagnosis, screening, and treatment of mental health conditions to Veterans presenting to the Emergency Department. Performs histories, initiates consultants and referrals, and acts as a liaison between the Emergency Department and the Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Makes assessments and recommendations for continued rapid assessments of clients in a psychiatric crisis, and can take appropriate action in conjunction with other staff and the VA Police as necessary to preserve client and staff safety. Assesses suicide risk as a licensed independent practitioner, engages the client in safety planning, and may provide follow up care to clients designated as high risk for suicide and to other clients encountered in inpatient and emergency settings. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday, 7:00 am - 11:00 pm (variable) Compressed/Flexible: Available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: EDRP has been authorized for this position. After selection, the local EDRP coordinator will provide further details. Program eligibility and award amount is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Learn more. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Education. A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (NOTE: the post-master's certificate is formal education awarded from an acceptable school of professional nursing and is not considered board certification). (1) Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant: (a) The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post-master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (NOTE: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013 ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); or (b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level. (2) Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification (see paragraph 2c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. (1) License. All APNs (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. (2) Basic Certification: All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB); or Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment will be based on the following specific requirement for an APN (NP). APN (Nurse Practitioner) II: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). APN (Nurse practitioner) III: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6a Advanced Practice Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Preferred Experience: Experience working with mentally ill patient population and community resource utilization. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight pulling (0.25 hours); Pulling hand over hand (0.25 hours); Pushing (0.5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (6 hours); Standing (2 hours); Kneeling (0.5 hours); Repeated bending (0.5 hours); 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; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Ability to maintain 12-hour work shifts; Mental stability; Emotional stability. Environmental Factors: Excessive noise, intermittent; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others; Protracted or irregular hours of work.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Kimberly Wallace
• Phone: (541) 826-2111 X3285
• Email: [email protected]