Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

The Registered Nurse for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) in the Greenville Mental Health Clinics at the Greenville Health Care Center will work with the Mental Health Team and collaborate with licensed independent providers (LIPs) to assure high quality care to the Veteran with psychiatric diagnoses/mental health needs. 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. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written & spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency & accredited by 1 of the following accrediting bodies at 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 & later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion & 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, & unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant 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, & unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess required licensure, may be appointed at entry step of grade & level applicable to completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to 2 years on a case-by-case-basis.)

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series & performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education & licensure/certification.

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education & Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, & if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements are detailed for each grade & level within the online assessment: . Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills & technically competent practice providing care to clients w/ basic/complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ; OR Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious & deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing & 2 years of professional nursing experience that 1 year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN & 1 year professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) & no additional professional nursing experience; OR Master's degree in *related field with a BSN & no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering & improving holistic care through collaborative strategies w/others. BSN with 2 years professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR MSN with 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN w/no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience & creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond immediate practice setting. MSN & 2 years specialized nursing experience, 1 that is equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Master's degree in *related field with BSN & 2 years of specialized nursing experience, (1) that is equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field w/ a BSN & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. * Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Preferred Level of Education:
BSN
Preferred Certification(s):
ANCC for Mental Health Certification

Full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III. The actual grade an applicant may be selected for is Nurse I to Nurse III.
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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 . This position requires potentially long periods continued walking, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs & repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional & Mental Stability: Incumbent must be 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/testing, as condition of employment.

Nursing Bridge Programs: Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education. Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met in addition to the following:

(a) Master's Level Bridge Program Education Appointments Prior to Graduation. Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who achieve the level in their education in which they 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 a temporary basis for any period up to three years contingent upon full completion of the professional nursing education program, if education verification provided by the school supports the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) equivalency. Upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program, the Nurse may be converted to a permanent appointment under the provisions of section 7401(a)(1) of title 38. Failure to complete the bridge program on which the temporary appointment was based will result in termination of the appointment.

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.

Dimension Requirement for Nurse III: Nurses at Nurse III must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for 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 inter-professional 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 Based 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.

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: . 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: .