This position may be 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. 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: Behavioral Health Nursing experience is preferred. 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: Heavy lifting (35 pounds and over); heavy carrying (35 pounds and over); straight pulling (2-4 hours); pushing (2-4 hours); reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4-6 hours); standing (4-6 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and 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 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards This position is located within VA Pittsburgh, University Drive Campus, Acute Behavioral Health Unit. Major duties include, but may not be limited to: Uses expert clinical judgment in the delivery of care to complex and specialized patient populations resulting in a positive impact / improvement across the organization. Guides staff in the implementation of the nursing process and evaluation of patient care outcomes. Organizes care delivery in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team in a manner that promotes continuity and accountability for patient care. Demonstrates innovation and self-direction in developing and implementing complex and sophisticated programs for optimizing patient care and enhanced management of resources. Participates actively in the development of program/service line philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures are developed. Proactive in implementing policies and procedures (including medication administration and restraint/seclusion) at the program/service level and monitors compliance by staff members. Initiates and implements corrective actions as indicated at the program/service level. Provides leadership in the utilization of standards of practice, policy and procedure to develop plans of care. Provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner, respecting the values and beliefs of the members of the all cultures. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information including verbal, electronic and print communication. Functions as a role model in care provision that is non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, and respectful of the cultural, religious values, and beliefs of patients and families. Applies appropriate theoretical principles in support and enhancement of patient self-determination. Demonstrates leadership in ensuring environmental safety, infection control, and accessibility to resources. Predicts and secures program resource needs based on analysis of trends and patterns. Identifies risk areas and maintains high standards for managing the program(s) assigned. Utilizes cost containment strategies to effectively manage staffing and material resources. Evaluates practice for a program or service, based on established professional community or regulatory standards and recommend changes that are able to be implemented to meet these standards. Assumes leadership roles and/or serves as a resource to identify and develop policies, procedures, standards or protocols to support improvement of program or organizational performance. Provides leadership and formal evaluations identifying areas of competence in knowledge deficits for further development of others. Collaborates with other health care disciplines and caregivers in identifying, analyzing and resolving care problems. Participates in the nursing shared governance process to validate and/or improve nursing practice across the continuum of care at the organizational level. Demonstrate leadership in coordinating activities of the health care team utilizing constructive communication, organization, and problem solving strategies. Performs other duties as required. 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: Rotating shifts to include weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: May work 8 or 12 hour shifts Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates EDRP Authorized: May be authorized; Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
