The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner(PMHNP) provides cares for a specific population of patients in a variety of settings. She/he applies specialized clinical nursing knowledge and skills to patient care as well as the improvement of the quality of care provided by others. The PMHNP provides a unique approach to healthcare that allows the incorporation of traditional nursing skills as well as advanced practice skills in the care of patients ranging from young adulthood to geriatrics. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience and Certifications - Prefer at least 2 years outpatient or 2 years inpatient Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) experience. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements include: lifting and carrying up to 35lbs, straight pulling and pushing, reaching above shoulder, repeated bending, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (> 4 hours), standing (> 2 hours), rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, distinguish basic colors, distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), work on slippery or uneven walking surfaces, work closely with others, work alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, and ability to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The functional requirements of this position are concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and may include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies. ["Selectee will be assigned to the VA Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) location. All Nurse Practitioners assigned to Mental Health Service will meet basic requirements and hold a degree of Master's level or higher from a college or university approved by the Administrator; meet the physical standards as described by the Administrator and be licensed to practice without restrictions in a state or territory of the United States. Each Nurse Practitioner will establish and maintain professional relationships within Mental Health Service and with other services with the medical center. Duties include but are not limited to: Administrative: Advises and clinically supervises the LVNs assigned to them in Mental Health Service Line. Participates in various facility programs, designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services, such as Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, as assigned by Chief, Mental Health Service. Demonstrates commitment to high quality customer service, including specific measures identified as performance goals by the Medical Center. Adheres to all information security and privacy measures set by VHA and the Medical Center. Annually develop and evaluate professional and personal goals. Identifies individual professional learning needs and participates in formal programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, as well as self-directed learning activities. Completes facility wide mandatory education yearly. Clinical: Provides quality patient-centered patient care to outpatients for adults age 18-65 and older adults age 65+, as assigned by Chief, Mental Health Service. Maintains clinical privileges in Mental Health Service in order to fulfill the duties of his/her assignment within Primary Care Services. Demonstrates sound decision-making skills, both clinical and administrative, which bring credit to the profession and serve to enhance the distinctive and contributory role of physicians. Facilitate the delivery of appropriate patient care in collaboration with other health professionals, medical center staff, and management. Participates as a peer reviewer, when requested. Exhibits leadership in initiating changes in patient care programs based on current concepts and findings from research and studies. Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal. Consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients. Completes all medical record documentation in CPRS in a timely manner. Includes patient/family/significant other/health care provider in establishing realistic, measurable goals related to health education and treatment plan and in planning care on a continuum; assists staff in the process of mutual goal setting Demonstrates skill in implementation of clinical practice guidelines and protocols for patients with complex medical care needs. Documents administrative and clinical information in a thorough and accurate manner. Utilizes problem solving methodologies to resolve problems that impact patient care or staff performance. Plans, implements, and evaluates care based on the age specific requirements of the patient. Assesses veterans by utilizing advanced clinical judgment and physical assessment skills. Identifies acute/non-acute/chronic health problems. Work Schedule: Full-Time; 0730-1600 (Outpatient). Tour may change based on facility's needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
