This position is in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) setting. The incumbent functions as the Registered Nurse - VISN 5 Chief Mental Health Officer (CMHO), which is a role foundational for the VHA mission. The incumbent has overall responsibility and authority for planning, organizing, coordinating, reviewing, evaluating, and improving the operations of VISN 5 Mental Health Services (to include Suicide Prevention).

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Program Management/Managerial Responsibilities: Coordinates the operations of network Mental Health services, to include Suicide Prevention. Develops, implements, and leads MH team management groups to effectively accomplish goals, focus on customer needs, assure, and maintain quality, and accomplish mission and vision. Responsible for the management and operations of the MH Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) in close collaboration with the Medical Center Director co-lead. Works collaboratively with other VISN clinical program directors to address issues. Leads the VISN 5 Mental Health ICC through strategic planning, program implementation, customer focus, and team-based management. The incumbent also must have knowledge of analytical techniques to evaluate workload, fiscal, and performance measure data and other reports; knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological/mental health theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations throughout VISN 5. Presents reports and recommendations to the Healthcare Delivery Committee (HDC) and the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) regarding change. The CMHO maintains communication with VISN management, medical center management and VACO program officials. Acts as liaison with critical persons and groups both inside and outside of the organization. Clinical Consultation : Provides support/consultation regarding a full range of Mental Health Services, including assessment and using the most appropriate therapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Consults with and serves as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for and development of Mental Health services. Reviews clinical cases as needed, to assure policy compliance and to identify learning opportunities. Provides recommendations to executive VISN staff when requested in clinical appeal matters and in requests regarding orders of behavioral restriction. Clinical Service Provision: Provides direct clinical services to Veterans within VISN 5, consistent with training and expertise. Documents services in accordance with existing VHA requirements. Supervisory Responsibilities: The incumbent maintains full supervisory/managerial responsibilities for VISN staff assigned to support MH Programs and all programs aligned under MH. Oversees and supervises the day-to-day work of VISN staff assigned to support the operations of MH as a VHA key program office, including hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, task assignment, and all other supervisory responsibilities. Approves all supervisee time and leave requests, and plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts short-term priorities, assigns work to subordinates, and evaluates work performance. Assures reasonable equity of performance standards and rating techniques across supervisees when conducting performance reviews. Reviews functional statements with supervisees on an annual basis and appropriately revises functional statements to accurately reflect current duties. Supports subordinates in professional development endeavors 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: 8:00 AM -4:30 PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 100% Telework eligible within 50 mile commuting distance of any VISN 5 station to include, Linthicum Heights, MD; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Perry Point, MD; Martinsburg, WV; Clarksburg, WV; Huntington , WV and Beckley , WV. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making culture. Cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a culture of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community. Preferred Experience: Minimum 10 years experience in mental health clinical services. Experience working with multiple VHA mental health programs. Minimum 5 years leadership and supervisory experience (service chief level preferred). Experience collaborating across multiple facilities and with national program offices. 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, such as annual TB screening or testing, 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.

Contacts

• Address VISN 5 VA Capitol Health Care Network 849 International Drive, Suite 275 Linthicum, MD 21090 US
• Name: Cherita Brooks
• Phone: 443-354-2628
• Email: [email protected]