The Registered Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health Program Manager is a leadership position responsible for overseeing the clinical and administrative operations of the inpatient mental health unit at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center. Key responsibilities include coordinating with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (ITT) to develop and implement standard operating procedures and comprehensive inpatient mental health treatment plans for Veterans, focusing on recovery-oriented care.
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. Grade Determinations: 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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12782882. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. 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. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. 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. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. 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 experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Experience working inpatient Mental Health and familiar with inpatient mental health policies/procedures. Experience triaging acute mental health crises including active suicidal behavior and psychosis. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds. See/read computer screen Hearing (aid permitted) Speech (aid permitted)
Duties for this position include, but are not limited to: Oversees the Acute Mental Health Inpatient unit, a major program at GVSM VAMC, delivering specialized, complex, and highly professional care that significantly impacts Veterans' healthcare. Provides direct clinical services to veterans with mental health care needs. Manages key clinical, training, and administrative programs with full responsibility for day-to-day activities. Performs strategic planning and resource allocation to ensure high-quality services for Veterans. Ensures well-coordinated, high-quality post-discharge care for high-risk Veterans. Supervises direct reports, including psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, neuropsychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional mental health counselors, addiction therapists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and/or peer support specialists. Conducts performance evaluations, approve time and leave, monitor fund control points, and oversee daily operations, including budgetary oversight. Implement cost-saving measures without impairing operational effectiveness. Ensures compliance with local and system-wide program policy manuals and directives. Develops and implement programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, VHA policy, and accreditation requirements. Monitors outcomes using data-driven processes and implement improvement strategies based on data analysis. Ensures professional management of administrative accreditation responsibilities, including for the Joint Commission. Monitors and report to the Office of the ACOS regarding the status of Mental Health Performance Measures, overseeing corrective actions as needed. Prepares special reports, Congressional responses, briefing papers, issue briefs, and decision papers for Medical Center leadership. Serves as a high-level liaison with local, state, and national officials, community groups, and affiliate institutions as needed. Represent the Mental Health Service at meetings and educational conferences. Coordinates, leads, and assigns responsibilities to program staff in clinical team meetings, huddles, and monthly meetings. Engages with interdisciplinary treatment teams to develop and implement comprehensive, recovery-oriented treatment plans for Veterans. Monitors safety observation practices to ensure a secure care environment, addressing MHEOCC requirements. Leads efforts to prevent, reduce, and eliminate the use of seclusion and restraint per VHA guidelines. Collaboratively writes and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inpatient mental health and/or other mental health programs. Adheres to, educates, implements, and sustains national, local, and program directives, guidelines, SOPs, and performance improvement actions. Provides direct clinical care to Veterans ensuring active involvement in patient management and care delivery. Patient care services may be delivered on the inpatient unit or in other outpatient or residential mental health settings, as determined by needs of the service. Provides a full range of nursing services as appropriate to setting. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team (ITT) meetings as indicated, contributing to comprehensive treatment planning and coordination. Oversees the clinical work of unit or other staff, reviews documentation, and performs chart reviews to ensure quality of care. Provides clinical consultation to various disciplines and training levels. Provides clinical supervision to pre-licensure students or other personnel as appropriate to scope and licensure. 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: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.