This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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). NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. License and Certification: License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Includes but not limited to: Involves considerable amount of standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning Requires carrying or lifting of objects weighing up to 25 lbs., but occasionally may require work that involves pushing or lifting in excess of 25 lbs. and going up and down flights of stairs The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe care The position requires driving between two clinics (Fairfield and Mare Island). Requires use of hands for actions such as typing, simple grasping, fine manipulation and repetitive actions Requires the ability to frequently respond to multiple demands and priorities Has potential for exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous waste and chemicals Ability to distinguish shades of colors Ability to effectively utilize a stethoscope and distinguish breath and heart, and bowel sounds. Emotional and mental stability Ability to effectively PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Providing outpatient care ["General Description of Assigned Duties: The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) III Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) practices in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) as a member of an interdisciplinary team that provides recovery oriented, Veteran-centered clinical care for Veterans with a variety of medical and psychiatric diagnoses in the outpatient clinic setting. The PMHNP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The PMHNP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. The PMHNP has prescriptive authority. The PMHNP may participate in the on-call pool for evening and weekend coverage of either David Grant Medical Center (DGMC) or Behavioral Health Inpatient Care Unit (BHICU) depending on physical location, providing inpatient psychiatric care and medical/surgical psychiatric consultations. FUNCTIONS OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The PMHNP is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: - Completes comprehensive assessments of biopsychosocial needs of Veterans, including mental health evaluation, performing histories and physicals, diagnosis, and establishes and enacts treatment plans. - Uses advanced clinical judgment to independently provide evidence-based treatment to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness including use of psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other modalities. - Provides triage, crisis intervention services and facilitates admission to psychiatric inpatient services when needed. - Provides patient and family education on medical/MH conditions, preventive measures, and prescribed treatments. - Demonstrates leadership and engages in collaboration with other MH and specialty care professionals while involving Veterans and their families (as appropriate), in treatment plan development. - Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. - Counsels and treats patients with substance use disorders. - Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. - Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services. Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence 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: 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available, Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.