The incumbent is responsible for developing, planning, and managing the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP). The MHRRTP is a complex program which oversees Psychologists, Social Workers, Peer support Specialists, Addiction Therapists, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, Recreation Therapists, Psychiatrists, FNPs, administrative staff, and nursing staff.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Coordinating and administrating of all aspects of the residential rehabilitation treatment programs so that they provide safe, efficient and effective rehabilitation and recovery-based services to Veterans with severe mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Supervising Psychologists, Social Workers, Administrative Staff, a Medical director (MD), Registered Nurses (RNs), and other staff assigned; and evaluating the performance of the assigned staff. Serving as the liaison with Veterans Benefits Administration Offices, other government agencies, and the community. Exercising independent judgment and wide-latitude decision making in day to day management of the residential program operations. Strategic planning to ensure the delivery of high-quality services for Veterans, monitoring progress towards and outcomes of strategic plans. Planning, developing and implementing actions to meet short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with programs' strategic plan. Developing, coordinating and implementing a comprehensive, recovery-based program providing mental health treatment services for Veterans. Managing assignment and allocation of program resources to maximize clinical benefits for Veterans including assignment of clinical duties to program staff, monitor and request of supplies, program space, and other resources as needed. Tracking and monitoring staffing requirements for all levels of all clinical and administrative staff assigned to the MHRRTP. Facilitating requests to fill vacancies and add staff as needed to meet all requirements and assure safe and effective functioning of program. Ensuring program and staff follow all requirements established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Joint Commission and CARF. Developing and implementing procedures and policies, preparing all information and training staff to ensure compliance with all requirements and procedures. Monitoring all aspects of the program using data-driven quality assurance processes, collecting data on all aspects of program function, Veterans in program, and staff duties including documentation, and preparing all reports as required. Implementing strategies and actions to improve the MHRRTP program based on data analysis and stakeholder feedback and summarizing the processes in appropriate reports. Assigning clinical responsibilities and duties to the clinical Mental Health staff in the MHRRTP programs (psychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, peer support specialists, social workers, addiction therapists and Mental Health trainees). Approving leave, ensuring coverage of clinical services, personnel actions, management of MHRRTP clinical programs and services, and professional consultation. Monitoring and reporting on Mental Health clinical staff schedules, utilization and workload. Coordinating and monitoring all aspects of the referral and admission process, including receiving and assigning referrals, monitoring referrals to assure they are carried out in a timely and professional manner, and tracking results of all screening decisions. Also collecting, analyzing and reporting on data associated with referrals, screenings and admissions. The Chief, RRTP, reports to the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health (ACOSMH) and completes all duties delineated herein and all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Compressed/Flexible: Available. Telework: Ad hoc telework may be available based on Service needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

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/12412715. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: One year management experience One year experience in residential treatment setting and SUD Supervisory experience in a Mental Health setting Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; straight pulling (1 hour); pulling hand over hand; pushing (2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); kneeling (1 hour); repeated bending (1 hour); both legs required; operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; 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; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); emotional and mental stability. Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; dry atmospheric conditions; constant noise; radiant energy; electrical energy; slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working around machinery with moving parts; working with hands in water; working closely with others; working alone.

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.

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.)

Note: In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) must be obtained.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Valeria Sheremetova
• Phone: 206-452-8325
• Email: [email protected]