The Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) of Mental Health (MH) is responsible for the overall clinical, administrative, and programmatic operations of the Mental Health Service. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff (COS) and serves as a key clinical resource for the Health System Leadership. The Mental Health service is a major component of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System and the services or programs supervised are highly professional, technical, and complex.
Basic Requirements: 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 that 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 Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) 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 to qualify for Nurse 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: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making lifestyle. Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community. Preferred Experience: 3 years of Mental Health clinical leadership experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019
The Mental Health (MH) Service Line at VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) includes General MH in the Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP) and Specialty MH including Inpatient MH, specialty PTSD services, specialty substance use disorder services, residential care, Suicide Prevention Program, Workplace Violence Prevention program, Psychology Training program, and the Homeless program. Supervision and resource management involve major decisions, and work activities and supervision significantly affect the ability of staff to provide comprehensive services to Veterans. Duties for the position may include but are not limited to: Applies knowledge of state of the art, evidence-based practice of mental health and organized treatment programs including a familiarity with all disciples that provide mental health treatment. Has supervisory responsibility for subordinates and is responsible for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of mental health services. Evaluates partnerships for other services including but not limited to Primary Care, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Whole Health and medical services that have an embedded mental health provider or may refer to mental services, using relevant VA statutes and regulations and take action to improve identified deficiencies. Responsible for all administrative action associated with mental health including tracking and evaluating staff's workload and productivity, Action Items related to mental health, creating, implementing and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures related to all aspects of mental health services, documentation of clinical services and workload, performance improvement tasks, compliance with VA performance measures, meeting all appropriate strategic goas, compliance with requirements for follow up of Veterans who miss clinical appointments, ensuring utilization of resources, etc. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external customers. Responsible for timely completion of all program evaluations and documents required by Medical Center, VISN and VACO, ensuring compliance with appropriate bodies (such as CARF and The Joint Commission) and monitoring entities. Participates as chair of Mental Health programmatic oversight for Mental Health services in all VA PIHCS sites of care. Support all existing safety and infection control practices relevant to this position. Directs the continuous measurement and improvement of the quality, timeliness and patient satisfaction with mental health care provided by the service. Targeting performance improvement initiatives to address national programs such as SAIL, HEDIS. Plans, coordinates and ensure high quality, timely, patient centered care through utilization of multiple quality measurement tools. Improves patient outcomes through implementation of strategies such as clinical practice guidelines and critical pathways, health risk assessment, provider profiling etc. Continuously assess and improves the processes of mental health delivery in the service. Provides continuing surveillance of the professional performance of all providers. Provides active strategic decision-making and organizational planning, including budgetary and financial oversight. Collaborates with other service chiefs in the development and execution of the overall Medical Center and business plan. Plans initiatives and develops programs in collaboration with other services. Stays abreast of and educates staff about changing conditions in health care. Encourages and rewards risk-taking and entrepreneurial behavior. Demonstrates commitment to the Medical Centers goals and patient centered care. Other related duties as assigned. 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: Full Time; Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized