Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Mental Health 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. 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 work in generally with daily walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and carrying of moderate weight items required. Rigid deadlines and need for high degree of accuracy periodically becomes stressful. ["The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The ARNP is directly responsible and accountable to the consumer, and is prepared through a formal, organized educational program to coordinate and deliver comprehensive, continuous personalized health care. The assignment for this nurse practitioner is Mental Health. General clinical privileges and responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: 1) Obtain a comprehensive (or otherwise appropriate) general and mental health history on patients seen in assigned clinical areas. 2) Performs problem focused physical examination on patients seen in assigned areas as clinically indicated. 3) Order lab work, x-rays, diagnostic studies and make referrals as indicated for further assessment. 4) Interpret the clinical history, physical and mental symptoms and test results, employing a comprehensive clinical assessment to formalize a diagnosis. Make sound clinical judgements based on this evaluation and formulates an individual treatment plan based on patient needs. Evaluate health outcomes and implement a revised assessment and plan if indicated. 5) Collaborate with staff physician for confirmation of diagnosis and treatment plan in complex or unstable patient care situations. Refer medical problems beyond the scope of the nurse practitioner to the physician for evaluation. Disagreements between nurse practitioner and physician will be resolved by the Director for the Mental Health Service Line. Documents all notes for permanent chart record on all patients seen. 6) Assess and manage minor or stable chronic physical and/or psychiatric problems. Prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner falls within the nurse practitioner's scope of practice. 7) Confer with a collaborating physician prior to obtaining consultation with other subspecialty services in medical, surgical or primary care services. Accept phone calls from patients, family members, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) staff, and other outside professionals regarding patient status and/or questions regarding their care. Confer with physician when necessary. 8) Patient care functions may include dispensing medications and administering IM medications. 9) Carry out activities as part of a preventive health care program; utilize screening methods to determine the need for further health care. 10) Provide health care education and counseling for the patient and patient's family regarding medical conditions, health status, and the use of prescribed treatment and drugs. Recommend therapy measures regarding physical, social and environmental factors. Performs health promotion and illness prevention counseling utilizing patient education, self-care and risk reduction strategies.\nThis section lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position. Some areas to cover may involve the nature and variety of the tasks, methods, functions, projects, or programs carried out. 11) Demonstrates compliance with policies and procedures related to blood born pathogens. Utilizes precautions. 12) Self-evaluation of practice every twelve months. Periodic review of the medical record by the Chief, Outpatient Psychiatry or designee. Peer review may be utilized as an evaluation component. Maintain state ARNP licensure and mental health clinical nurse specialist certification/recertification 13) Sensitive information (electronic, written or oral) obtained in connection with employment whether involving patients, employees, medical center or VA information will not be discussed with anyone (unless a patient release is signed or at the direction of the medical center director.) and only with VA employees on a \"need to know\" basis. This includes protection of information from loss, alteration, unauthorized deletion, and unauthorized access. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nEDRP Authorized: Contact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]