This position may be eligible for a Relocation/Retention bonus of up to $15,000 for highly qualified applicants. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time of review. If an applicant is found not qualified based on the requirements below they will need to reapply to be considered. 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. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. 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. 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. 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 I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Preferred Experience: Experience with Behavioral Health preferred or at least one (1) year of Mental Health experience as a Registered Nurse. Strong computer skills, ability to multitask and organize work. Strong Mental Health assessment skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and crisis management skills are strongly desired. 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 for this position in accordance with HRML No. 05-12-02 , Employment of People with Disabilities, Including Under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over); Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over); Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both Hands required; Walking (up to 6-8 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Sitting (up to 1 hour); Kneeling; Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Both legs required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to hear whispered voice. Emotional stability. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 30, 2022. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. This announcement covers the Acute Psychiatry (Inpatient Mental Health) within VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, Topeka, Kansas. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Our facility is seeking individuals who possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work, a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program, and the ability to establish effective communication with patients, families, visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team. Excellent communication and customer service skills are required. The staff nurse is responsible to the Nurse Manager both clinically and administratively. The primary responsibilities of this Registered Nurse may vary by assignment. Those duties may include but not limited to: Provide population specific and age specific care for patients from young adulthood to older Veterans/groups in the senior years of life. Manage a defined but dynamic caseload of patients in collaboration with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Documenting observations, assessments, and changes in patient's condition; collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes; providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems; and accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards and functional statements of assigned grade. Function as team members and coordinate and provide care for a select group of patients. The requirements entail but are not limited to crisis intervention, teaching, medication management, administering medications, assessments, admissions, discharges, and follow-up care. Also collaborates with patients to assess and identify needs, issues, care goals, and resources in critical factors for achieving desired outcomes for discharge from either Mental Health (MH) or Primary Care (PC) setting, post hospital recovery and health maintenance/wellness. Additional duties include, but are not limited to: Supporting mental health Veterans for telemental health or on ground providers, using phone, face to face, and virtual contacts. Providing backup coverage for walk in behavioral health clients needing urgent assessment and working with access providers to provide disposition of urgent or emergent mental health needs. Maintains current knowledge of multidisciplinary resources, programs and services, referring patients for community resources as appropriate. Assists with the navigation of health care systems and intervenes or refers as needed to facilitate the achievement of patient outcomes. Enhances patient self-management by providing information regarding all options, choices, and resources. Supports patient-driven care in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner, using evidence-based principles. Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights. ? Guides others in the recognition of and participates in the resolution of ethical issues. Provides for safety of at-risk patients awaiting evaluation or admission to acute psychiatry, by ensuring 1:1 observation is maintained at all times. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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: Work schedules will vary depending on the unit and patient care needs. Work schedule will be determined upon selection. NOTE: Some units/clinics require working rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. Recruitment/Relocation: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required. For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits/"]

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