Career Center

Nursing is recruiting for a full time Chief Nurse for Mental Health at the VA Connecticut HCS. This position is a nursing leadership position that has direct supervisory responsibilities spanning both campuses with supervision of Nurse Managers in Mental Health and APRNs in Mental Health. 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 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in Mental Health Leadership for at least 5 years preferred. Leadership experience at the Executive Level. Experience with Mental Health Care surveys and Joint Commission. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: Registered Nurses should be physically and mentally capable to perform duties of the position. The position requires walking, standing or sitting for periods of up to 8 hours. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Chief Nurse Mental Health will execute 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, and is responsible for outcomes. The Chief Nurse Mental Health is responsible for administrative and operational functions of his/her assigned nursing units/programs and functions as an administrator, educator, and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Nursing and Patient Care, mental health, administrative staff and other services. S/he must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Responsibilities include; but are not limited to: Provides leadership to facilitate delivery for quality nursing care within the mental health service line; Works collaboratively and directly with Mental Health Service Chief and mental health professionals establishing processes to improve care delivery in the inpatient and outpatient environments; access to veterans, system redesign, performance and quality outcomes; Provides direct supervision, orientation and development of supervised staff; Sets clear and measurable goals for direct reporting staff; Provides leadership to staff for Joint Commission readiness including journey towards high reliability organizational goals; Direct involvement and participation in strategic planning and operational responsibilities for Nursing and Mental Health; Provide leadership/participation on nursing, medical center committees and Mental Health Council and/or Mental Health Firm Director meetings; Implement standards of professional practice; Contribute to the professional growth and development of colleagues, direct report staff, and other health care providers; Provide leadership in addressing ethical issues; Facilitates and monitors compliance with Mental Health performance measures, accreditation standards and administrative responsibilities in Nursing Administration and Mental Health; Works collaboratively with Human Resources on managing labor relation and disciplinary issues and working to assure adherence to the master Agreements; Demonstrates leadership in developing productive working relationships with other professional group; Reviews and signs all advance practice nurse Scope and formulary requests for those supervised and provide guidance on acceptable standards of practice related to the position; Designs, modifies and implements systems to improve the cost-effective use of resources; Ensures adherence to appropriate business rules and performance measures that apply to clinic operations. 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: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, but must be available 24 hours/7 days a week Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Required, selectee must file a financial disclosure report, OGE Form 450, within 30 days of onboarding and then annually. Notifications: This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments based on the candidate's education and experience. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy."]

Return to Search Results