Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program

About the role

The Registered Nurse (RN) Care Manager (CM) serves as a RN within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP).

Responsibilities

• Documents and completes notes and encounters into the EMR on the day of service.
• Affords comprehensive coordination of care to Veterans, utilizing specialized skills and knowledge in a relatively independent fashion.
• Provides direct advice regarding symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders to patients, including supportive counseling and education to patients, spouses, caregivers, and families, as well as skills building, managing symptoms, and treatment adherence through individual or group modality.
• Completes structured diagnostic and clinical assessments for Veterans using the nursing process which requires knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology, diagnostic categories, and chart review.
• Develops and updates the individualized multidisciplinary treatment plan with specific interventions to achieve recovery based measurable goals and objectives based upon assessment and evaluation of effectiveness of interventions.
• Completes safety assessment and safety plan at intervals defined by risk level appropriate to nursing scope of practice.
• Completes clinical measures that are appropriate for MH as part of clinical assessments, treatment, and care planning, which includes determining the appropriate level of care needed for patients not in treatment and the ability to understand the variety of clinical options available through the clinic, medical center, and local community.
• Coordinates care of the Veterans and facilitates the effective utilization of community resources.
• Contacts patients through written correspondence, tele-health, and telephone calls, and conducts follow-up interviews.
• Sets and reassesses the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator of patients and facilitates transfer of care when appropriate.
• Participates in patient and family education, utilizing various ways of communication that include secure messaging.
• Maintains required clinical records, evaluation, and monitoring of service delivery, and outcomes.
• Plans and tracks patient's treatment and care and adherence to the post hospital follow-up visit.

Requirements

• English Language Proficiency
• 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)
• 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
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements
• 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.)
• 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
• 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/13003132Grade/Level

Skills

• Knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology
• Ability to complete structured diagnostic and clinical assessments
• Proficiency in developing and updating individualized multidisciplinary treatment plans
• Experience in coordinating care and facilitating the effective utilization of community resources
• Ability to provide direct advice regarding symptoms of mental health disorders
• Skills in patient education and family support

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Regular salary increases
• Potential for performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
• 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)
• Retirement

Pay

• Competitive salary

Schedule

• Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Contact Information

Contact Joe.CamarenaContreras@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance