Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

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 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);
  OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.
  
  (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Republic) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and 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 Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/.

• Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level I
  - Scope: Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
  
  - Education: An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing with no additional professional nursing required.
• Grade/Level: 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.
  
  - Education: An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1;
  OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
• Grade/Level: 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 2;
  OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2;
  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.
• Grade/Level: 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 3;
  OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
  OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
  OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience;
  OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing…