Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Duties

The Outpatient Mental Health RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. He/She influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary teams of the Mental Health Service Line Programs where he/she is designated.
Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Core elements of performance include knowledge on department safety policies and standard operating procedures, central directives, mandates from regulating bodies, legal statues.
• Demonstrates understanding on the access of Mental Health services articulated in VHA Handbook "Uniform Mental Health Services" (VHA Handbook 1160.01).
• Demonstrate knowledge and competency in discharge care transitions in partnership with inpatient behavioral health clinical team.
• Demonstrates understanding on the recovery model of care and continuum of care articulated in VHA Handbook "Inpatient Mental Health Services" (VHA handbook 1160.06).
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transit through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact patient satisfaction in collaboration with the Mental Health service line team.
• Considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race, culture, values, and previous experiences.
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing safe and timely care.
• Demonstrates knowledge on established safety policies and procedures and verbalizes understanding in escalating immediate safety interventions as deemed necessary.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding in the application of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB).
• Completes all documentations utilizing the nursing process in a timely manner.
• Reports pertinent clinical information to his/her nursing leadership, program manager, and to interdisciplinary team as deemed appropriate.
• Verbalizes understanding of program flow and team collaborations in addressing appropriate level of care.
• Participates in team huddles and adheres to program guidelines of patient care coordination.
• Completes coordination of care referrals in consultation with program managers and interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates knowledge on RN cross coverage of Mental Health service line programs to maintain continuity of Veteran care.
• Facilitates leadership in the applications department safety policies and standard operating procedures, central directives, mandates from regulating bodies, legal statues.
• Facilitates active partnership with program coordinators and team members on RN cross coverage of Mental Health service programs to maintain continuity of Veteran care.
• Evaluates own performance by addressing patient treatment care outcomes through the completions of all documentations utilizing the nursing process in a timely manner. Reports pertinent clinical information to his/her nursing leadership, program manager, and to interdisciplinary team as deemed appropriate.

• Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with all internal and external customers.
• Maintain confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient/employee information.
• Demonstrate working practices that include adherence to Infection Control standards and the safe use and operation of equipment.
• Prevents protected information from being disclosed to unauthorized sources.
• Maintains a professional attitude by discussing protected information in a private setting.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • License
  • Resume

  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Enrollment
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  
  Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/09/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12294910.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

  • Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Angelica Ratliff

  Phone

  (415) 221-4810 X22743

  Email

  Angelica.Ratliff@va.gov

  Address

  San Francisco VA Medical Center
  4150 Clement Street
  San Francisco, CA 94121
  US

  Next steps

  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
  NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents