Career Center

The Registered Nurse manages the individualized care of each Mental Health client by promoting and restoring health through the nursing process. He/she collaborates with providers and members of the interdisciplinary team to provide physical and psychological support to patients and the patient's support system. The Nurse utilizes his/her expertise, skill, and knowledge to deliver comprehensive, safe, and effective nursing care to the client. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree. 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 ["The duties of the Registered Nurse (RN) in Nursing Mental Health Service at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (JAHVH) includes providing care for ill and injured Veterans on our Inpatient Mental Health setting and consists of but is not limited to the following: Assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. When a Veteran displays disruptive behavior, participates in ICCAN (I Can Call a Nurse) and Code Orange responses within MHBSS and throughout various areas of the hospital as needed. The RN will be responsible for the delivery of quality nursing care including documenting observations, patient assessments, and the delivery of nursing care for the veterans with acute and chronic mental illnesses. The RN must be able to fully participate in all Preventive Management of Disruptive Behavior requirements. The RN possess the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary mental health team setting. Substance abuse detox protocol Must be able to participate therapeutic containment and crisis interventions. Assume delegated responsibility to oversee psychiatric nursing assistants and/or licensed practical nurses. Maintain responsibility for quality patient care; demonstrate willingness to support change for improvement of patient care and unit operation. Perform clinical assessment and treatment procedures identified in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and other assessment and treatment procedures (e.g. immunizations, injections, PPDs). Assess client's health status by gathering information and identify client's actual and potential problems; maintain ongoing assessment of client's status based on information gathered by interviewing and observation. Develop a therapeutic relationship with assigned clients to coordinate psychosocial treatment with standardized physical nursing care and guidance. Involve client's family and other health care team members in discharge planning. Evaluate response of client to plan of care and nursing interventions and revise patient care to meet changing needs. Monitor client behavior to intervene when appropriate; monitor clients for critical changes and initiates appropriate emergency procedures. Provide effective management of crisis in disturbed clients in emergency situations. Monitor client behavior to intervene when appropriate. Assist medical providers and pharmacist with evaluating medication compliance and knowledge of the clients' prescribed medications. Conduct other group therapy and/or education sessions as assigned. Maintain safety on the unit through the implementation of special observation monitoring for patients on one-to-one observation or continuous visual observation (CVO). Maintain visual rounding on patients every 15 minutes for all patients. Effectively functions independently as the Charge Nurse in an assignment managing the care of a group of patients and caregivers. Display strong interpersonal skills when interacting with all members of the Mental Health interdisciplinary team, including fellow nurses, Psychiatric Nursing Assistants, clerical staff, nurse managers and chief nurse, and providers. The RN may be provided training in other areas of Nursing Mental Health service and support staffing needs in those areas. The RN must be able to lift to 35 pounds. Transferring objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The RN must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. All RN positions require Basic Life Support (BLS). If selected, the Applicant will provide proof of current certification prior to employment. Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted. Work Schedule: Shift varies, 24/7 unit Days, evenings, night (some compressed tours)\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]