Summary

The Registered Nurse - Case Manager/Care Coordinator (Mental Health BHIP) (MHTC) is a vital member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Team - Richmond Virginia VAMC.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - 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 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)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• 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
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12862209
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: 3 to 5 years Nursing - 3 to 5 years in Mental Health - Mental Health certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This clinical position includes a physicality normally associated with direct patient care: the physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing - sitting - frequent bending - stooping - walking - reaching - repetitive motion - and climbing stairs.

Duties

• The BHIP RN Case Manager/Care Coordinator/MHTC uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the core team - which includes - the Veteran and/or family - Psychiatrist - Psychologist - Nurse Practitioner(s) - fellow Case Managers/LCSW and the MSA
• The RN Case Manager is responsible for working closely with Licensed Independent Providers to assure high quality care to the Veterans with Psychiatric/MH needs and to foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness and available resources
• Duties and responsibilities for these positions include but are not limited to the following: Coordinate and run daily huddles and weekly IDT meetings
• Assigned MHTC for BHIP patients
• Review Veterans to be seen by providers for the day/week to identify high risk patients - if there are follow up appointments needed with other providers - status of pending consults for MH services - etc
• Track and follow up with Veterans with High Risk (Behavioral and Suicide) Flags and those identified for Reach Vet
• (in collaboration with Suicide Prevention) Complete suicide screens and safety plans as appropriate.-Assist with need identification
• Assist with identifying key concerns - needs - and preferences of the Veteran and their family or caregiver
• Aid as needed during Veteran crisis
• Provide outreach to High-Risk Veterans who no-show - did not schedule follow up appointments - etc
• as indicated
• Work with specialty clinics (HUD/VASH - CWT - PRRC - PTSD clinic - SATP) to assist with establishing Veterans in needed care
• SOS/Walk in clinics coverage
• Monitor and evaluate care
• Treatment assessments/plans as indicated in MHTC 2.0
• Provide Veteran outreach to provide support as needed - obtain additional information for treatment (ex
• Medication side effects - therapy/treatment goals - etc.) and report back to treatment providers
• Send out BHL and assessments pre-session
• Identify Veterans who are utilizing ED/SOS frequently and provide outreach and help connect them with the appropriate level of care/get in contact with regular provider - such as CCICM referrals
• Identify Veterans who can be seen for mental health services in Primary Care and help facilitate the transfer of care back to Primary Care
• Work with the recovery coordinator to help connect Veterans with needed/beneficial services in the community
• Front-line responder for MHV messages and phone calls from Veterans for triage and address issue if needed/within scope (e.g. - getting re-connected with services - needing to reschedule appointments - sending request to provider for medication refills - etc.) if outside of scope or role as a case manager/care coordinator refer to appropriate team member
• Track clinical reminders - complete reminders that are within their scope - and inform providers of alerts/reminders that need completed if needed
• Place consults as appropriate/within scope
• Follow up with progress of community care referrals
• Other duties as assigned (may be floated to other MH Outpatient Clinics to provide support)
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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: 8am-4:30pm (Monday thru Friday) Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.