The incumbent practices in Mental Health services as a certified Psychiatric Mental Health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. The PMHNP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Preferred Experience: DNP at least 10 Years experience as PMHNP, Outpatient work and experience working with Veterans and/or Military Personnel. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6a Advance Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner), Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. ["PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER (PMHNP): Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) GAP Psychiatric Provider/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency Program Director (MHNP RPD). The incumbent practices in Mental Health services as a certified Psychiatric Mental Health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the VA mission. 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 as indicated by their position. BHIP GAP PSYCHIATRIC PROVIDER - 51% of assigned Duties The PMHNP will provide GAP services to the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) main campus teams. BHIP consists of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers (both psychotherapists and case managers), nurses (RN Care Coordinators and LPNs), clinical pharmacy providers, peer specialists, and advanced medical support assistants providing specialty mental health services in an outpatient setting. A GAP psychiatric provider to BHIP main campus teams would serve the following functions: Provide planned and unplanned coverage for other psychiatric providers, to include seeing patients in scheduled appointments as clinically indicated, reviewing medical records and making clincal dispositions, and ordering psychiatric medications as clinically indicated. Provide same-day access psychiatric services as clinically indicated. Provide timely post psychiatric inpatient discharge appointments. Serve as interim psychiatric provider while patients are awaiting a provider transfer due to psychiatric vacancies. Provide second-opinion clinical triage and diagnostic evaluations as clinically indicated. Work in collaboration with all BHIP main campus teams, attending huddles and team meetings as clinically indicated. As a PMHNP within the BHIP Program, incumbent will also provide the following: 1. Buprenorphine treatment for opiate use disorder maintenance. 2. Psychiatric coverage for Clozapine Clinic as clinically indicated. The PMHNP may also be considered for additional coverage alongside a psychiatrist for weekend and holiday inpatient psychiatric care. Overtime would be provided for this service. MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER RESIDENCY PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MHNP RPD) 49% of assigned duties The MHNP RPD is responsible for the management, structure, and administration of the APN clinical trainee program. Ensures program compliance with the VA Office of Academic Affiliation standards and accrediting bodies of sponsoring affiliated institutions while activities are being held at VA facilities. The MHNP RPD develops, implements, and enhances APN clinical education training program. Required experience may include one or more of the following educational assignments: precepting APNs or medical students, setting up continuing education for local VA APNs, participating in community health events, serving as an APN Assistant or Coordinator in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) residency program or stipend program, and/or serving as a member or staff of an academic APN program. The MHNP RPD functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant in collaboration with executive leadership, academic partners, interdisciplinary service leaders, and other clinical services/programs at the facility level. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relates effectively with customers, families, and the community. 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 7:30 AM-4:00 PM or 8:00 AM -4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.
