The Mental Health Acute Recovery Center (Acute Inpatient Mental Health) Registered Nurse will work Full-time with Mental Health Inpatient Services at San Francisco VA Medical Center. The Mental Health Nurse provides comprehensive, recover-oriented nursing care to Veterans. This includes application of the nursing process during the admission, transfer and discharge in addition to other care coordination processes.

Duties

The RN works collaboratively with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and would need skills in psychosocial assessment- and interventions, individual and family psychoeducation, case management, crisis intervention, and group programming skills. The RN directly reports to the Nurse Manager of the Inpatient Mental Health Unit. The RN demonstrates competency using the nursing process in providing care for Veterans in inpatient mental health presenting with acute mental health disorders including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance dependence, and related medical conditions. The RN provides patient-centered care applying the recovery principles articulated in the Inpatient Mental Health Services (VHA Directive 1160.06) and Uniform Mental Health Services (VHA Handbook 1160.01). The RN works in close partnership with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and in collaboration with nursing leadership in the promotion of safe and effective Veteran-centered care. Duties include: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing/supervising direct care for Veterans in inpatient mental health. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates patient care in collaboration with inpatient mental health clinical team. Actively partners with the clinical team in the coordination of care focused on patient transitioning through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Facilitates holistic patient care approach considering all characteristics of the patient, including age and life stages, state of health, race, and culture, values, and previous experiences. Performs the role of a preceptor to assist newly hired staff RNs. Shares knowledge and skills during the orientation process to help identify their learning needs and successful completions of orientation requirements. Performs the role of a charge nurse and actively partners with the clinical team in promoting safety and timely care to Veterans. Assigns tasks to ancillary staff and ensures adherence to safety practices and utilization of therapeutic communication skills while engaging Veterans and managing activities in the milieu. Completes medication administration procedures per established polices and guidelines. Facilitates completion of appropriate patient care education. Resolves medication administration documentations as deemed appropriate. Acts as a role model in the utilization therapeutic communication skills in the promotion of recovery-based approaches to patient care. Facilitates promoting safety through his/her application of the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC) (VHA Handbook 1167) articulating safety promotion for patients at risks of suicide, environmental safety surveillance, and safety reporting processes. Makes recommendations of the training needs of nursing staff and partners with the Nurse Educator as deemed appropriate. Facilitates completion of Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTP) upon patient's admission. Participates in daily treatment care planning geared towards recovery-based approach and patient care transitions with the interdisciplinary clinical team. Provides assistance with RN colleagues in ensuring timely completions of MHTPs Actively participates in the coordination and completions of discharge transitions of care. Works with interdisciplinary team in facilitating completions of care transitions from inpatient to outpatient MH programs appropriate to the Veteran. Partners with interdisciplinary team in the promotion of safe and therapeutic milieu. Demonstrates knowledge in promoting safety through the utilization of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) and responding to Code Green as an established safety emergency collaboration. Takes the lead in facilitating emergency interventions including therapeutic containment as deemed necessary. 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: 19:30-20:00 shifts available, Full-time (Shift times may vary based on operational needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12415385. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Preferred Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of inpatient Mental Health experience. Excellent de-escalation knowledge and skills. Excellent collaboration and communication skills with interdisciplinary teams. BSN preferred. Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications Grade 1: $149,816-$199,250 annually Grade 2: $172,288-$221,900 annually Grade 3: $189,516-$221,900 annually 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.

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

Contacts

• Address San Francisco VA Medical Center 4150 Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94121 US
• Name: Angelica Ratliff
• Phone: (925) 356-5892
• Email: [email protected]