The BHIP Nurse in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is a vital member of the Mental Health Team who works in collaboration with licensed independent providers (LIPs) to assure high quality care to the Veteran with psychiatric diagnoses/mental health needs. The BHIP Nurse works closely within an interdisciplinary team framework to help foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness by providing assessments, planning, interventions, and evaluation. 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. 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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 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. Mechanical impatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be mature flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities, based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Driver License- At the time of hire all applicants must have a valid Driver license with no restrictions. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The BHIP Nurse performs clinic duties independently with quality of care and professional behavior as primary guidance and reports directly to the Mental Health Site Supervisor, Service Chief, and Associate Chief of Outpatient Behavioral Health. The incumbent is responsible for submitting approval for leave and will complete performance evaluations. Government funded travel through the State of Montana may be required for this position: all required training for travel will be completed during unit orientation. This position is expected to have 25% or less travel time throughout the year. The BHIP Nurse in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is a vital member of the Mental Health Team who works in collaboration with licensed independent providers (LIPs) to assure high quality care to the Veteran with psychiatric diagnoses/mental health needs. The BHIP Nurse works closely within an interdisciplinary team framework to help foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness by providing assessments, planning, interventions and evaluation of treatment (Office of Mental Health Operations). The incumbent practices as an RN for Montana VA Health Care System at Fort Harrison, MT and surrounding CBOCs and clinics. This RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction, and acts as the patient's advocate. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs. The RN will have communication skills to include self­-awareness, conflict management, negotiation, advocacy, listening, and techniques for delivering critical information. The nurse's primary responsibility is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses) Additional duties may apply. This nurse will be self-directed in completing orientation and on-going mandatory education, actively participating in annual competency assessment and validation. 1. Provide Veterans and their family members with education regarding their illness, medications and treatment plan 2. Provide outreach to clients who are having problems with treatment adherence and who may be relapsing 3. Coordinate with other agencies and make referrals to provide patients with necessary community services 4. Refer to, consult with and coordinate care with other VA health care providers. 5. Assess patients and provide additional support with LIPs 6. Facilitate psycho-educational and support groups 7. Act as liaison between Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units to facilitate continuity of care 8. Provide coverage as needed for other staff in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic 9. Complete Mental Health Treatment Coordinator assignments 10. Initiate Treatment plan 11. Perform triage for telephone calls, walk-ins, patients who are in crisis, and call-offs 12. Specific prescriber directed tasks which can include coordinating refills, consult on laboratory results and providing physician instruction to patients 13. Triaging risk assessment and treatment for patients presenting to outpatient behavioral health 14. Participate in the daily consult team and assist with triage and treatment plan for Veterans requesting new and follow up appointments 15. Perform nursing duties to assist SHIP team to include taking vitals and giving injections 16. Use non-traditional approaches to care including Telehealth, MyHealthEVet, and Telephone Work Schedule: 0800am to 4:30pm Note: Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours. The candidate must be willing to be assigned to other related services and/or locations, if necessary. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Autorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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"]

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