Registered Nurse (RN) - Mental Health
Department of Veterans Affairs
Augusta, GA

RN Mental Health and Rehab Inpatient Units

Summary This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position(s) are filled. Learn more about this agency Help Overview * Accepting applications * Open & closing dates 04/12/2024 to 09/30/2024 * Salary $74,256 - $144,575 per year Salary pay ranges will vary on the applicable pay scale for that specific duty location and/or assigned unit. * Pay scale & grade VN 00 * Help Location * Augusta, GA * Remote job No * Telework eligible No * Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be infrequently expected to travel for some positions. * Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. * Appointment type Permanent - * Work schedule Full-time - * Service Excepted * Promotion potential 3 - Promotion potential to VN-0610-III * Job family (Series) 0610 Nurse * Supervisory status No * Security clearance Other * Drug test Yes * Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk * Trust determination process Credentialing Suitability/Fitness * Announcement number CBTB-12362108-24-VG * Control number 786293600 Help This job is open to * Internal to an agency Current federal employees of this agency. * The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Videos Help Duties VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards * Inpatient Mental Health (2G): * RN functions as an integral member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. Contributes as a nursing discipline professional and subject matter expert. * Evaluates the patient's response to treatment and progress towards desired outcomes. Revises the plan of care and interventions as necessary. * Delivers safe basic psychiatric and physical care to assigned patients. Demonstrates and maintains all required competencies. * Blind Rehabilitation: * RN provides quality nursing and rehabilitative care and education to Veterans with significant visual impairment and blindness. * Along with other members of the team, helps teach a variety of skills courses designed to help Veterans achieve a realistic level of independence. * Domiciliary * The MH RRTP nurse independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care, milieu management, and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions * Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team, Environment of Care rounds, and psychiatric emergencies, reports and addresses safety concerns, and documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy * Integrates MH knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex situations and provides oversite for LPNs and RNs * Medical Rehabilitation * RN provides quality nursing and rehabilitative care and education to Veterans with significant physical conditions and impairments. * RN assists in training Veterans with orthopedic conditions, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, neurological conditions, and helps restore/achieve a reasonable level of independence and adaptive functioning * Preferred Experience: Obtain ADN/BSN, 2 years psychiatric or rehabilitative nursing experience within last 5 years is preferred but not exclusionary, and the Service will also consider RN candidates who possess varied experience or skills sets that are translatable and can contribute value to the organization. Must have the ability to perform Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Help Requirements Conditions of Employment * U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. * All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. * Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. * Must be proficient in written and spoken English. * You may be required to serve a probationary period. * Subject to background/security investigation. * Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. * Must pass pre-employment physical examination * Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). * Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. OR 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) 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. * 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. Qualifications: Nurse I Level 1 * Practice: Knowledge of professional nursing practice and the ability to apply the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning implementation and evaluation) with close supervision * Veteran/Patient Driven Care: Knowledge of Veteran/patient driven care, patient experience, satisfaction and safety. * Leadership: Communicates, collaborates and utilizes leadership principles to perform as an effective member of the interprofessional team * Professional Development: Incorporates educational resources/opportunities and self-evaluation for professional growth. * Evidence-bases Practice /Research: Awareness of evidence-based practice/research to improve quality of care and resource utilization. Nurse I Level 2 * Practice: Delivers professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning implementation and evaluation) with general supervision. * Veteran/Patient Driven Care: Provides Veteran/ patient driven care by optimizing the patient experience, satisfaction and/or safety for assigned patients. * Leadership: Communicates and collaborates as an effective member of the interprofessional team, demonstrating progression from team member to team leader. * Professional Development: Seeks knowledge and learning opportunities that support current nursing practice and self-evaluation. * Evidence-bases Practice /Research: Applies evidence-based practice/research, considering patient preferences to improve quality of care and resource utilization for assigned patients. Nurse I Level 3 * Practice: Delivers self-directed, professional nursing practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning implementation and evaluation) for complex patients based on conscious and deliberate planning with occasional supervision. * Veteran/Patient Driven Care: Provides and directs others in Veteran/patient driven care by optimizing the patient experience, satisfaction and/or safety for a team of patients. * Leadership: Communicate s and collaborates as an effective member of the interprofessional team, demonstrating leadership responsibilities such as team leader/charge nurse. * Professional Development: Shares knowledge and learning opportunities that enhance current nursing practice and self-evaluation for self and others on the team. * Evidence-bases Practice /Research: Applies evidence-based practice/research considering patient preferences, to improve quality of care and resource utilization, participating in established improvement activities. Nurse II * Practice: Leads professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation) to improve evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes for an identified patient population and/or specialized areas within immediate practice setting * Veteran/Patient Driven Care: Improves Veteran/patient driven care by optimizing the patient experience, satisfaction and/or safety for the immediate practice setting * Leadership: Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofession al team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes for the immediate practice setting. * Professional Development: Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring, precepting and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting. * Evidence-bases Practice /Research: Leads the integration of evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise to improve quality of care and resource utilization with improved outcomes for the immediate practice setting. Nurse III * Practice: Demonstrates expertise in professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation) with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting * Veteran/Patient Driven Care: Leads initiatives to improve Veteran/patient experience. Satisfaction and/or safety beyond the immediate practice setting. * Leadership: Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofession al team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. * Professional Development: Enhances knowledge base and practice evaluation, at the expert level, with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. * Evidence-bases Practice /Research: Leads the identification and integration of evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise to improve quality of care and resource utilization at the expert level with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (6 hours); Pushing (6-10 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6-10 hours); Standing (6-10 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (4 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). 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/ Education Accreditation Requirement: Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant:(a) The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (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.); or(b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level. 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. Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration (see paragraph 3c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. 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. Degree in a Related Field: A graduate level or doctorate degree in health care/management related fields from an institution accredited by the State and approved by the Department of Education at the time the candidate completed the program may be credited as specifically indicated in grade requirements. The graduate level or doctorate degree and coursework must provide evidence in support of the nursing role and duties associated with the assignment and grade level. Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Nurse I Level 1 * Diploma or associate degree in nursing. No professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level 2 * Diploma or associate degree in nursing with One year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 1. or * Bachelor degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level 3 * Diploma or associate degree in nursing with Two years of professional nursing practice, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level. or * Bachelor degree in nursing with One year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2. or * Master's degree in Nursing with No professional nursing experience. or * Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with No professional nursing experience. Nurse II * Bachelor's degree in nursing with Two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3. or * Master's degree in nursing with One year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3 or * Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with One year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3 or * Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing practice required or * Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing practice. Nurse III * Master's degree in nursing with Two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or * Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with Two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or * Doctorate degree in nursing with One year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or * Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing practice required. * Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with 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. Additional information 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: Variable tours to include nights, weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Incentive for Relocation or Recruitment Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Read more * Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.