The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP) Residency Program Director (RPD) practices in the Behavioral Health Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and advancing the Veterans Affairs mission. The MHNP RPD is responsible for the management, structure, and administration of the APN clinical trainee program.
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) IV Scope. Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND Four years of APN (NP) experience, one of which is specialized experience equivalent to Nurse III AND Meets all Nurse IV dimension requirements.\ Dimension Requirement. APNs (NPs) at Level IV must meet ALL the following dimension requirements: Practice. Practices at an associate executive level, utilizing clinical, leadership and administrative skills, demonstrating continuing responsibility that influences the organizational mission, health care delivery and policy at the local and/or regional level. Outcome Focus. Leads the application of clinical/business models, incorporating research/evidence-based practices, designed to achieve and sustain excellence in the delivery of health care at the service and organization levels. Leadership. Creates and implements a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve organizational performance and attain measurable performance outcomes. Professional Development. Establishes innovative, current and future healthcare delivery models, policy/regulation and governance to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, improving health outcomes. Professionalism/Collegiality. Facilitates effective relationship management, communication, customer service experiences and negotiation across lifestyles using a broad range of technology platforms to influence, inspire and motivate others within their program/service or beyond. Preferred Experience: One (1) year of mental health nurse practitioner residency supervision. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective care. The position requires the individual to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients. This position requires the individual to travel in an automobile for several hours at a time.
Major Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and advancing the Veteran Affairs (VA) mission. Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or disciplines and influences the organization's mission and health care. Practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Senior level leader who is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification. Responsible for the management, structure, and administration of the APN clinical trainee program. Ensures program compliance with the VA Office of Academic Affiliation (OAA) standards and accrediting bodies of sponsoring affiliated institutions while activities are being held at VA facilities. Develops, implements, and enhances APN clinical education training program. Precepts APNs or medical students. Sets up continuing education for local VA APNs. Participates in community health events. Serves as a 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. Coordinates the clinical educational needs of nurse practitioner students in the Behavioral Health Service (BHS). Provides communication with academic affiliates and with nursing services to assist in the educational needs of these students for clinical placements. Coordinates resources to recruit, orient and assist preceptors who are taking either NP residents or students. 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. Collaborates with Nurse Leaders, APNs, and interdisciplinary clinicians in carrying out the functions and activities of the residency progam. Ensures the residency program aligns with organization mission of the facility, Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN) and VA. Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standard of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of clinical practice. Leads and collaborates in policy-making activities as related to customer service and administrative and clinical aspects of the resident program. 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 through Friday, 0800 to 1630 Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized