The Assistant Chief of Behavioral Health is responsible for the oversight and management of personnel in Behavioral Health Service. The incumbent ensures that staff provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the acceptable standard of care which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate judgment, and evaluation of human responses.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until October 25, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 15, 2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. This position is also being announced under announcement number: Physician: CAZM-12494557-24-NS Podiatrist: CAZM-12494603-24-NS Psychologist: CAZM-12494379-24-LGJ Social Worker: CAZM-12494382-24-LGJ Marriage Family Therapist: INT: CAZM-12494380-24-LGJ EXT: CAZM-12494638-24-LGJ Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor: INT: CAZM-12494381-24-LGJ; EXT: CAZM-12495684-24-LGJ The Assistant Chief of Behavioral Health provides executive leadership and direct supervision (under the direct supervision of the Chief of Behavioral Health) to the Supervisors over the following units: South Central Wellness Center, CBOC BHIP program, nursing, substance use disorder program, homeless program, recovery program, primary care mental health integration, and supervisory consulting psychiatrist. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Exercises administrative, programmatic, clinical and academic oversight of all Behavioral Health programs to ensure delivery of quality services. Assesses plans, and evaluates the processes and daily operations of Behavioral Health Service. Coordinates and integrates the programs into a comprehensive package of services that meet the evolving needs of the Veteran population that comply with the Uniform Mental Health Services handbook (VHA Handbook 1160.01), the Inpatient Mental Health Services Handbook (VHA Handbook 1160.06) and VHA's Mental Health Operating Plan Designs and implements interdisciplinary programs within the service and medical facility. Responsible for assessing and recommending the allocation of human and materiel resources, in determining staffing levels using appropriate guidelines, managing overtime, and plays a significant role in the recruitment and retention of mental health staff. Develops program review and evaluation to ensure that the access, quality of care, customer service, patient satisfaction and utilization management, efficiency dimensions of care are continuously evaluated and improved. Responsible for systems redesign and policy development within the service. Ensures competency assessment is completed on each employee annually. Reviews EPRP, Performance Measures, and other data for trends and early intervention; formulates follow-up plans with Supervisory Team, the service, and the medical facility. In collaboration with Behavioral Health Product Line programs and teams. 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: Monday- Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm. The Assistant Chief is on 24/7 on call in case of emergencies with personnel, veteran suicide and emergencies with immediate facility. Telework: Ad-Hoc (Occasional or Irregular basis) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 of 3 years' experience as a formal supervisor Experience with Managing personnel issues including conduct and performance Highly organized and skilled at tracking and meeting deadlines and effectively management multiple competing priorities 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: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VASTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Light lifting under 15 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 6 hours, Standing for 6 hours, Repeated bending for .25 hours, Climbing, legs only for 1 hour, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision at 13 to 16" 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), Mental and emotional stability.

Education

The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) or Doctoral degree in nursing must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

• If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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.

Contacts

• Address El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]