Registered Nurse - Associate Chief Nurse of Mental Health

01Basic 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.

02Education

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 Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle. Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle 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 lifestyle 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.

03Preferred Experience

Three (3) years of nurse manager experience or two (2) years as a service line chief in a nursing service line. Experience in a mental health care setting. Experience as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator.

Experience in Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CCICM), Ketamine Clinic, Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD VASH), Domiciliary (DOM), Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI), Primary Care Management Modul (PCMM), and Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting.

05Working Conditions

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing. 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. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in government vehicles.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability. Provides senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within nursing as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS).

Responsible for all aspects of care that fall under the Mental Health service line, providing administrative oversight and direction in the programs within the service. Possesses solid knowledge of Nursing and Mental Health Nursing regulations, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines, medical review criteria, clinical practice and documentation requirements, current standards of care, and compliance guidelines.

Supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals. Champions a High Reliability Organization (HRO) with a culture of safety founded on a systems approach to developing evidence-based health care solutions based on prevention, not punishment, with collective mindfulness.

Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility and network. Relates effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Assist the ADPCS with healthcare operations and the functions and activities expected of them. Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing.

Manages and approves leave schedules and respective Time & Leave (T&L) sections to ensure there is adequate coverage for planned leaves and a contingency plan for unexpected absences as well as accurate/timely leave approvals and labor mapping. Works with service line leadership and human resources staff to ensure adequate and appropriate staffing for all assigned areas. The ACN is responsible for recruitment, hiring, evaluation, disciplinary, and termination actions for Mental Health staff.

Reviews, interprets, and effectively uses performance reports, benchmark data, budget cost/expenditure documents, staffing, and other reports in decision-making.

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 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.

Telework: Not Available; Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized