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 incumbent practices as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) within the Mental Health service primarily located within the Social and Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS) and, occasionally the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP), Tele-mental Health services, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the state of Alaska. The Psychiatric-Mental Health APRN functions as an independent member of the medical staff with delineated clinical privileges granted by the Medical Executive Board. As a member of an assigned interdisciplinary team or Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), the incumbent will be responsible for providing psychiatric-mental health care to outpatient and inpatient Veterans with chronic or acute mental illness including addictions, changes in mental status, and/or functional decline within the Alaska VA Healthcare System. Duties include but not limited to: Utilizing interpersonal and clinical skills to provide direct mental health services to Veterans for 80% of total available clinic time or 32 hours per week. Conducting history and mental health status exams on assigned patients with physical exams being completed when clinically indicated. Completing intake assessments and formulating diagnoses. Developing, documenting, and updating treatment plans with VHA guidelines and accreditation standards. Presenting treatment plans to interdisciplinary treatment teams. Ordering all necessary diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies, including laboratory and radiological assessments. Prescribing medications and supplies in accordance with VHA policy, VA formulary guidelines, state regulations, and scope of practice. Initiating and processing consults. Making appropriate referrals for continuation of care and treatment. Providing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as indicated in the treatment plan. Accurate, effective, and timely documentation of patient encounters within VHA guidelines. Completing due clinical reminders with Veterans during scheduled appointments. Seeking consultation with physician for out of scope of practice cases. Formulating, initiating, and evaluating health care teaching related to patients and their families. Acting as a consultant for nursing, medical, and other clinical staff. Placing return to clinic orders for patients for follow-up care. Completing and closing patient encounters within VHA guidelines. Preparing for scheduled patient encounters. Participating within the MH and S&BHS services to include attending S&BHS staff trainings, Monday Huddles, and MH/S&BHS Monthly Meetings. Participating in assigned VISN and National level calls or trainings. Participating in developing and implementing service level improvement plans and projects such as completing tracers, performing Environment of Care (EOC) rounds, and accreditation readiness. Participating in professional and administrative activities as assigned. Remaining current on service Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Medical Center Policies (MCPs), VHA directives, VHA handbooks, Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and accreditation standards VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, this is a part time position .5 FTE and the Shifts will vary Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] and [email protected] the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Paid Time Off: (Part Time) Annual leave accrued at the rate of one (1) hour per every 10 hours in a paid status; Sick leave accrued at the rate of one (1) hours per every 20 hours in a paid status. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: (Part Time) Annual leave accrued at the rate of one (1) hour per every 10 hours in a paid status; Sick leave: Accrued at the rate of one (1) hours per every 20 hours in a paid status. 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. THIS IS A PART TIME POSITION. PAY RANGE IS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT. PAY WILL BE PRORATED BASED ON HOURS WORKED. 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 One year treating adults with SUD and/or providing psychiatric care. Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a major as a nurse practitioner Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a major as a nurse practitioner 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs), moderate carrying (15-44 lbs), straight pulling (1 hr),pulling over head, pushing (2 hrs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, kneeling (1hr), repeated bending(1hr), both legs required, Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, both hands required, walking (2 hrs), standing (2 hrs), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of color, hearing (aid permitted), emotional and mental stability. Environmental Factors: Outside inside, dry atmospheric conditions, excessive noise, intermittent, constant noise, dust, silica, asbestos, etc, fumes, smoke, or gases, radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking around machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water, vibration, working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, working with hazardous drugs. 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.