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The Tuscaloosa VAMC is recruiting for RN Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) in Mental Health. The Registered Nurse is accountable for delivery of quality, age-specific healthcare; for utilizing fundamental thinking skills and sound clinical judgment to ensure positive patient outcomes; for demonstrating ethical practice; and for participating in performance improvement activities to improve the quality of care and ensure performance measures are met and/or exceeded. 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 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: Two (2) years RN experience Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Acute Care and/or Memory Care 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. 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: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. TVAMC services medical, geriatric and mental health inpatients, residents and outpatients. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don personal protective equipment. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties: The RRTP RN is responsible for coordinating medical and behavioral care for RRTP residents internal to the program, milieu management activities, oversight of RRTP LPN and RRTP NA activities, and providing administrative support when needed. The RRTP RN demonstrates flexibility in taking assignments and completes a comprehensive system of tasks that are specific to RRTP. Other duties include (but not limited to): Works in partnership with the patient to create a treatment plan, monitor progress, and provide support for the patient as needed. Observes, identifies and responds to the patient's needs for nursing care including: patient education, medication administration, wound care treatments, specimen collection including various urologic and breathalyzer procedures, capillary blood glucose testing, equipment assisted care, assessing for suicide risk, and recognizing deviations from normal including monitoring for signs of substance use and withdrawal. Ensuring safety protocols including room checks and contraband searches are completed, and completion of all required documentation. The incumbent performs age and culturally appropriate care, uses techniques to appropriately de-escalate disruptive patients, and appropriately participates in emergency response activities on the unit. Completes mandatory and annual competencies for equipment and procedures, adhere to unit-based protocols, maintain a current BLS certification, and work collaboratively with other disciplines in the Medical Center. Participates in in-services and performance improvement activities and customer services programs at unit and service line levels. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Exhibits core elements of performance to include knowledge of unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. 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: Monday - Friday Flex day tour (07:30 - 1600, 0800-1630, 1200-2030) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program: This position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application EDRP may be Authorized: Contact Tonya Gibson, tonya.gibson@va.gov the Point of contact for questions/assistance Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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