Career Center

The Nurse Manager-Acute Psychiatric Unit is responsible for a locked 24 bed acute psychiatric unit. The primary focus of the APU is the evaluation and treatment of the veteran with a primary psychiatric diagnosis. The Nurse Manager is responsible and accountable for planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating patient care programs and staff activities for the APU. 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: Master's degree in nursing or BSN with at least 3 years of mental health experience (preferred in the inpatient setting) National Certification in area of specialty Experience with accrediting body reviews, such as Joint Commission Experience with staffing and ensuring appropriate staff mix 2 years or more RN experience in medical-surgical care or specialty (other than psychiatric) 2 years of manager/supervisor experience BLS Experience in execution of the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist and development/completion of actions plans to address deficiencies 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. 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 population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, aged 18, to the older adult, aged 65 and over. VALLHCS is an interdisciplinary facility serving medical, surgical, behavioral health, inpatient, outpatients, and residential treatment. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. 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 will 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 Veteran needs. ["The patient population includes adult female, male and geriatric veterans, Treatment modalities include medication, sub-acute medical care, withdrawal support from substances in individuals having co-morbid conditions, inpatient group therapy, individual therapy, occupational therapy and functional assessments, recreation therapy, dietary consultation, family evaluation and intervention. The Nurse Manager demonstrates professional nursing practice characterized by leadership and accomplishment in developing and implementing programs to improve the delivery of patient care, establishes relationships with professional and/ or health related groups in the community, works effectively with other disciplines and departments, and makes significant contributions to the nursing profession. The Nurse Manager contributes to the professional growth and development of staff; develops staff for career progression; and collaborates with other departments and disciplines to ensure the identification, measurement, and evaluation of performance improvement initiatives specific to patient care services provided. The Nurse Manager demonstrates competency in organizational management, written and verbal communication, data/operations analysis and strategic planning, and creative/visionary skills. Work Schedule: Full-time; 80 hrs. (0700-1630). Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility. May require occasional weekends and holidays.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]