Summary

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.

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.) 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/12945520
• 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 equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity in both hands
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping sitting - bending - pulling - pushing - lifting - and/or carrying
• Transferring patients and objects may be required.

Duties

• All activities of the TMS Nurse are dedicated to patients with mental health problems and the mental health care team
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout continuum of care
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team and participating in process improvement initiatives
• The TMS Nurse is responsible for all scheduling aspects of the clinic - including initial consultations - daily treatments - taper visits - and TMS therapy - reminding new Veterans of upcoming start dates for their treatment and coordinating re-treatment series with requesting physicians
• Major Duties includes but not limited too: Ensures completion of the initial screening - which consists of verifying the Veteran's identity and assessing for changes in medications - side effects - medical conditions - psychiatric conditions - and suicidal or homicidal thoughts
• TMS is recommended for specific patients with depression - and a comprehensive initial assessment is conducted by the TMS Attending Provider prior to starting TMS to screen for the appropriateness of the treatment
• Provides daily screenings of neuromodulation patients
• This screening includes inquiries regarding changes in medication - sleep status - mood or anxiety related to neuromodulation therapy
• assessing for use of substances and knowledge of medication/substance use relevant to neuromodulation therapy
• and evaluating the veteran for any worn metal that needs removal
• Provides pre-treatment education for all interested Veterans and potential new patients
• After the TMS Attending Provider has determined that a patient is clinically appropriate - has no contraindications - would benefit from TMS therapy - and has written the order for TMS therapy in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) - the TMS Nurse will provide procedure instructions to the patient
• Identifies patients - verifies that proper informed consent has been obtained - obtains patient consent for treatment - and documents consent in the patient record
• Provides support to the TMS Clinic Attending or their designee during motor threshold (MT) determination
• This requires familiarity with MT procedures - including careful clinical observation and assistance with identification of TMS-induced movement
• It also requires ability to consider changes in clinical status that might impact MT and alerting the TMS Attending Provider
• Gathers medical history and other required pertinent information prior to and during TMS therapy
• administers mental health rating scales and other assessments as needed for clinic patients
• This includes maintaining sufficient rating scale packets - administering them - collecting scores and reviewing results for immediate clinical needs (i.e. - report of active suicidal or homicidal ideation with a plan) - and contacting the TMS Attending Provider if this occurs
• Conducts - coordinates - or orders various medical tests (such as audiometry) - labs (such as urine drug screens and alcohol tests) according to protocol.
• Administers TMS treatments under the supervision of the TMS Attending Provider
• provides supervised daily operation of TMS Clinic devices
• These operations include: starting the device
• pre-setting head rest positions
• placing the coil in the machine
• attaching barrier protective covers as needed
• observing equipment alarms during treatments
• maintaining contact between the coil and patient's scalp to ensure effective treatment
• correctly positioning the patient
• safely assisting Veterans out of the TMS device following treatment
• troubleshooting other common treatment delivery issues
• and following and monitoring treatment doses as ordered - based on specific doses as prescribed by the TMS Attending Providers.
• 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 - 8:00am--4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized