Career Center

The RN practices in the Outpatient Mental Health (OPMH) Clinic for VASLCHCS within The Housing and Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH). The RN provides assessment services for patients engaged in the Homeless and Justice Clinical Recovery Program (HJCR). The RN executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. This position provides services within HJCR both on site and in the community. Preferred Experience: BSN, outpatient mental health case management 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. 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 position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. 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. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech and manual dexterity. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. ["Major Duties:\n- Responsibilities will be within the HJCR program on site and in the community providing services across the HJCR team.\n- Demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating care for a panel of patients across the continuum of care, recognizing the age related cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and geriatric patient.\n- Participates in chronic disease management for panel in collaboration with provider; engages in Shared Medical Appointments (SMA), and/or RNCM visits.\n- Triages and applies a collaborative team approach in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems.\n- Assesses patients and provides additional support between visits as needed; provides outreach to patients who are having problems with treatment adherence.\n- Provides psychosocial support, assists with problem solving, development of coping skills, and supports the Veteran's personal goals for recovery.\n- Assists in determining appropriate scheduling based on patient's clinical need. Right person, right place, right time.\n- Exhibits leadership in promoting proactive and evidence-based care by bringing research and data to the team and leading process improvements to keep team practices current.\n- Promotes patient, family and team interactions, and problem solving by actively participating in interdisciplinary meetings to facilitate coordination and the achievement of identified goals.\n- Retains current knowledge of multidisciplinary resources, programs, and services, referring patients for community resources as appropriate; demonstrates ability to collaborate and coordinate with all levels of services and disciplines.\n- Serves as liaison to the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit as needed to facilitate continuity of care post-discharge.\n- Utilizes approved Protocols and Guidelines to facilitate autonomy in providing care. Works at the top of scope of practice.\n- Maintains competency in the administration of long-acting injectable medications according to policy.\n- Accurately documents coordination and care provided in CPRS and HOMES.\n- Manages patient care alerts in CPRS in a timely, safe and effective manner.\n- Serves as a resource for patient and family rights, responsibilities, and decision-making information and processes; provides patient and family education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plan.\n- Functions as an advocate for Veteran self-determination and provides patient-centered care while respecting patient's personal values, cultural, and belief system.\n- Actively participates in reviewing and updating policies, procedures, and standards to promote evidence-based, patient-driven care.\n- Maintains effective working relationships with professionals and support personnel within the medical center and the community.\n- Applies critical thinking and analytical skills to identify barriers for optimal patient care delivery and utilizes processes improvement strategies to correct or improve current state.\n- Utilizes creativity and innovation. Recommends and participates in interdisciplinary opportunities to improve patient care or clinical efficiency.\n- Coordinates and participates in community events including annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down.\n- Uses GSA vehicles in order to complete work in the community.\n- Assists with education and supervision of others who provide nursing care, i.e. LPNs, nursing students; assists with clinical supervision of Peer Support Specialists.\n- Provides back-up coverage for other team members and other PACT RNCMs within the clinic as needed.\n- Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Eight hours shifts, M-F, 0800 - 1630.\nCompressed/Flexible: May be an option after an employee demonstrates competency in their role.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]