Registered Nurse- Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT)
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Application
Details
Posted: 29-Sep-24
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, Utah
Salary: Open
Categories:
General Nursing
Internal Number: 797501200
The Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) is a comprehensive mental health and primary care team that delivers mental health and medical care to Veteran patients in a longitudinal rather than episodic fashion that has the following focus: prevention, health promotion, health care coordination, and chronic disease management. HPACT is an outpatient clinical team under the Homeless and Justice Clinical Recovery (HJCR) Program within the Mental Health Service line. 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/12460995. 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. 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 position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech and manual dexterity. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. ["The HPACT Mental Health Registered Nurse (MH RN) provides assessment and intervention services for patients enrolled in HJCR. Patient populations include Veterans who present with the full range of DSM-5 mental disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. Patients are likely to present with co-morbid medical conditions, functional decline, and unstable living conditions or literal homelessness. The HPACT MH RN functions as part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of psychiatric nurse practitioners, medical nurse practitioners, social workers, and other mental health professionals. The HPACT MH RN promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. The HPACT MH RN gains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, telemental health, community-based care, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with MH conditions. The HPACT MH RN attends and participates in MH interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques, utilizes recovery-oriented language, and provides Veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plan. The HPACT MH RN also participates in warm hand-off, care coordination, liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. The HPACT MH RN documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy. The HPACT MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Major Duties: Obtains a health history of referred patients; data collection includes lifestyle patterns, pain issues, sleep/activity levels, support systems, cultural, social and ethnic factors, patient treatment preferences and goals. Administers long-acting injectable medications, including antipsychotics and opiate antagonists. - Administers screening tools, including PHQ9, GAD, PCL, SLUMS, Suicide Risk Assessment, and Audit C. Monitors ongoing treatments for adherence, medication side effects, and clinical outcomes, including worsening of symptoms, impairment, therapeutic response, and provide and/or coordinate appropriate follow up. Triages and applies a collaborative team approach in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems. Assesses patients and provides additional support between visits as needed; provides outreach to patients who are having problems with treatment adherence. Provides psychosocial support, assists with problem solving, development of coping skills, and supports the Veteran's personal goals for recovery. Assists in determining appropriate scheduling based on patient's clinical need: right person, right place, right time. Collaborates with ancillary team members and resources within the clinic to manage clinic access issues. This may include assisting other nursing staff with maintaining clinic flow. Exhibits leadership in promoting proactive and evidence-based care by bringing research and data to the team and leading process improvements to keep team practices current. Promotes patient, family and team interactions, and problem solving by actively participating in interdisciplinary meetings to facilitate coordination and the achievement of identified goals. Collaborates with patients to assess and identify needs, issues, care goals, and resources for achieving desired outcomes post hospital recovery and health maintenance/wellness by effectively using Motivational Interviewing and TEACH techniques. Serves as liaison to the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit as needed to facilitate continuity of care post-discharge. Utilizes approved Protocols and Guidelines to facilitate autonomy in providing care. Works at the top of scope of practice. - Accurately documents coordination and care provided in CPRS. 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: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.