Mental Health Outpatient Services include the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Primary Care Mental Health Integration, Caregiver Support Program, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Opioid treatment program (OTP), HUD-VASH, Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM), with E-Range in Santa Rosa.

Duties

The Mental Health Nurse provides comprehensive nursing care to veterans in the programs and would need skills in psychosocial assessment, individual and family psychoeducation, psychosocial interventions, case management, crisis intervention, and group skills. The Mental Health Registered Nurse is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care for Veterans presenting with behavioral health disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance dependence, and related medical conditions. The Mental Health RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. The Mental Health RN adheres to the following practice guidelines based on their program designation: Facilitates leadership in the applications department safety policies and standard operating procedures, central directives, mandates from regulating bodies, legal statues. Partners with his/her program team members in promoting Veteran-centered care and advocates on the access of mental health services articulated in VHA Handbook "Uniform Mental Health Services" (VHA Handbook 1160.01). Participates actively in discharge care transitions in partnership with inpatient behavioral health clinical team. Address barriers and recommends solutions to ensure access and continuity of care. Promotes a high level of Veteran care advocating on the recovery model of care and continuum of care articulated in VHA Handbook "Inpatient Mental Health Services" (VHA handbook 1160.06). Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transit through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact patient satisfaction in collaboration with the Mental Health service line team. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race, culture, values, and previous experiences. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Partners with his/her team to address treatment outcomes and follow-up care. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing safe and timely care. Demonstrates knowledge on established safety policies and procedures. Takes the lead in escalating immediate safety interventions to provide timely Veteran care. Takes the lead in activating safety procedures utilizing knowledge and understanding in the application of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB). Evaluates own performance by addressing patient treatment care outcomes through the completions of all documentations utilizing the nursing process in a timely manner. Reports pertinent clinical information to his/her nursing leadership, program manager, and to interdisciplinary team as deemed appropriate. Participates in team huddles and adheres to program guidelines of patient care coordination. Provides recommendations to team members, program coordinators, nursing leadership as deemed appropriate. Completes coordination of care referrals in consultation with program coordinators, interdisciplinary team, and other service stakeholders as deemed necessary. Serves as a preceptor for newly hired RNs and provides feedback to nursing leadership. Facilitates active partnership with program coordinators and team members on RN cross coverage of Mental Health service programs to maintain continuity of Veteran care. 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: 07:30-16:00 Telework: Ad-Hoc eligible based on the needs of the facility 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/12480909. 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. 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]