Registered Nurse; Outpatient), Mental Health - EDRP Authorized

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE; or individuals attending a master’s level bridge program in nursing with coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree may become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion and may be appointed on a temporary basis until conversion to a permanent appointment.
  
  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. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than associate level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from an accepted evaluator such as International Consultants of Delaware.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. (Graduate Nurse Technician exception applies.)

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties 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.

• BSN or higher.
• At least two (2) years of recent direct patient care RN experience in a Mental Health setting.
• Outpatient Clinic experience – MH Clinic experience preferred.
• RN Specialty Certification in Mental Health / Behavioral Health recognized by VA Office of Nursing Service.

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.

• Nurse I, Level I –
  Scope: Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
  Education: Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.
• Nurse I, Level II –
  Scope: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex needs.
  Education: An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
• Nurse I, Level III –
  Scope: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self‑directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.
  Education: An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I Level II; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience; OR a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
• Nurse II –
  Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
  Education: A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience…