RN - Nurse Manager - Inpatient Mental Health

The Nurse Manager (NM) is a self-directed proven nurse leader in Mental Health (MH) Nursing. They provide oversight for the delivery of nursing care and directly supervises inpatient nurses. The NM works in partnership with MH inpatient interdisciplinary leaders and staff to systematically evaluate, standardize, and improve care delivery, program implementation, personnel management, and operations for the inpatient MH programs.

Qualifications:

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 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.

Preferred Experience:

• BLS Provider Card
• BSN
• MSN
• Evidence of continuing education and on-going self-development in leadership/management with demonstrated leadership abilities in coordinating care in an Interdisciplinary setting
• Two years of mental health nursing experience
• Previous RN management experience
• Certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing or Nursing Administration or willingness to be certified within two years of employment
• Demonstrated outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in critical thinking, problem solving collaboration
• Skills in dealing with complex interpersonal situations
• Working knowledge of VISTA/BCMA and GUI(CPRS) Computer Systems

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.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

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 heavy lifting, 45 pounds heavy carrying, 45 pounds straight pulling (2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking & standing 8 hours - intermittently; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental& muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aide permitted). Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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.

Responsibilities:

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: Full-time, 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday (With flexibility to meet patient needs)
Telework: Not authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

The major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for delivery of quality patient care, including documentation and demonstration of clinical competence through role modeling and ongoing role delineation assessment and continuous Quality Improvement Projects.
• Responsible for the provision of staffing, physical facilities, supplies, and equipment for nursing services to patients.
• Familiarity with the established policies and procedures, administration of the unit in accordance with The Joint Commission (TJC) and VAPAHCS policy. Responsible for monitoring compliance to these policies.
• Responsible for identifying and promoting staff development and enhancing staff competencies.
• Collaborates with the Mental Health Interdisciplinary Team, Chief of Mental Health, and other services for program development, quality care, and resource planning.
• Collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Team in planning, directing, and implementing patient care.
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating interdisciplinary team program to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Responsible to ensure monitoring utilization of supplies for cost control and overall efficiency.
• Responsible for the overall administration, supervision, and counseling of unit nursing staff.
• Demonstrates outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates skills and knowledge in critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
• Demonstrates skills in dealing with complex interpersonal situations.
• Responsible for continuing education and on-going self-development in leadership/management with demonstrated leadership abilities in coordinating care in an Interdisciplinary setting.