Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The Nurse Practitioner will provide direct evidence-based care to patients in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP) at a level commensurate with established clinical guidelines and standards of practice. This will involve collaborating with and supporting the MHRRTP medical director(s) in the provision of care to patients who are admitted primarily for treatment of psychiatric and substance use disorders but who suffer from an array of medical comorbidities. The Nurse Practitioner will report to Outpatient Mental Health Nurse Manager. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: conduct a comprehensive history and physical on all patients upon admission to assess their medical needs and encourage routine health maintenance; serve as a liaison with the patient's primary care physician (PCP) and when a patient does not have a PCP locally, serve temporarily in that role; when indicated, liaise with specialists and other clinicians (in the medical center and elsewhere) to provide continuity of care and advance the physical health and well-being of patients; be available to patients for routine follow up as well as acute medical needs which involves evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as referral of patients to other providers or levels of care when appropriate; order and interpret labs, imaging, and diagnostic tests as well as prescribe medications; is a member of a multidisciplinary team and is expected to attend meetings and maintain productive relationships with other team members with the shared goal of advancing the recovery of patients under the team's care; may be asked to participate in the medical screening of veterans who are referred to the program, as well as collect and review documents from outside facilities to clarify the medical status of patients and referrals; enter admission or discharge orders for patients in the program; lead educational groups on topics related to physical health and well-being; document encounters in the electronic medical record (EMR) in conjunction with appropriate procedural codes; deliver care in a manner that maintains fidelity to Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) guidelines as well as standards set by such accreditation bodies as the Joint Commission (TJC) and the Commission on Accreditations of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF); per local facility policy, the Nurse Practitioner is responsible for maintaining Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Scheduling flexibility required. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience and Certifications - Family/Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner preferred Minimum of 2-3 years of Family/Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner experience Demonstrated ability to provide clinical leadership Excellent interpersonal skills Works well with interdisciplinary team Demonstrated leadership, self-directed, and rational problem-solving skills Basic computer skills Evidence of good communication skills verbally and in writing 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 III - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.