Registered Nurse-Outpatient Behavioral Health-Education Debt Reduction Program Approved

The public

U. S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

US Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

The Outpatient Behavioral Health (BH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve Veteran and organizational outcomes. The psychiatric BH RN executes their position duties by providing patient-centered, recovery-oriented principles, telemental health, community-based care, and self-awareness when caring for Veterans living with BH conditions. The BH RN actively engages in interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, de-escalation practices, recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans, their families, and significant others on illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.

The BH RN assists and/or directs safety concern resolution and collaborates with program leadership to help improve Veteran and program outcomes, liaising with Inpatient BH Units, develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups, and directs teams response to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The BH RN documents assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and Veteran care plans following facility policy, maintaining professional boundaries and acting in the Veteran's best interest.

The registered nurse (RN) assigned to the outpatient Behavioral Health team collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams in the delivery and coordination of comprehensive care to Veterans receiving outpatient behavioral health services. The RN may work in, be assigned to, or provide cross-coverage for any Behavioral Health Service (BHS) program, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), or facility under the El Paso VA Health Care System based on patient care needs and operational requirements. Assignments may include, but are not limited to, the Behavioral Health Access Team (BHAT), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Somatic Treatments (i.e Esketamine, etc.), Hospital Liaison, Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR), Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH).

The RN must maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license and possess the ability to safely operate a Government Services Administration (GSA) vehicle. Driving responsibilities may include travel between CBOCs & Main VA Facility within the El Paso VA Health Care System, community-based and home visits, outreach activities, and minimal transportation of Veterans when necessary and consistent with VA policy and operational requirements. This requirement supports the RN's responsibility to provide coverage and services across BHS programs, community settings, CBOCs, and other facilities that fall under the El Paso VA Health Care System.

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) provides a comprehensive range of services, including walk-in/same-day access, crisis assessment and management, group programming, evidence-based treatments, tele-mental health services, medication management, case management/Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) services, counseling for couples and families, psychological assessment, outreach, and other behavioral health services. The responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (BH RN) include, but are not limited to, conducting risk assessments, triage, and clinical nursing services for Veterans seeking or receiving behavioral health care. The BH RN addresses Secure Messaging (SM), Message Managers (MM), and other Veteran care requests within established facility policy and standards for timeliness, responding directly within the RN's scope of practice and appropriately routing, reassigning, or escalating requests to the appropriate team, provider, or service when indicated.

The RN reviews diagnostic and laboratory results, discusses abnormal findings with the referring or responsible provider, and communicates normal results to Veterans and/or caregivers, as appropriate.

Other duties as assigned.

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

Monday-Friday, 08:00am-04:45pm Telework: Available Ad Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for EDRP incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov , for questions/assistance. Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

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.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Basic

Requirements

• 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 and spoken English.

• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate 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); 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 and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and 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, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an 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, 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)

• HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048327.

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 and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ; OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.

Nurse I, Level III

Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II

Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience…