Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Springfield, MO, United States
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval: award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
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)
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 the 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6
Individuals graduating from 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 than 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)
Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties 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 and dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates – and if appropriate – the level within a grade
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/12937134
Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental – knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing – 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 needs
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I; 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 II
Or a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level II
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 III
Or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III
Or a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III
Or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
Or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no 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 a 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 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 BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Preferred Experience: Providing behavioral health services with adult populations
Experience providing behavioral health services through telehealth modalities
Experience working as a member of a collaborative multidisciplinary care team
Experience implementing evidence‑based assessment and intervention practices
Physical Requirements: This position requires light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds – use of fingers – both hands required – near vision correctable at 13\"\" to 16\"\" to Jaeger 1 to 4 – far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other – ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Hearing with aid
Mental & emotional stability
Ability to hear conversations voice (aid permitted)
External Factors: Protracted or irregular hours of work
Duties
The BHIP Nurse in Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is a vital member of the Mental Health Team who works in collaboration with licensed independent providers (LIPs) to assure high quality care to the Veteran with psychiatric diagnoses/mental health needs.
The BHIP Nurse works closely within an interdisciplinary team framework to help foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness by providing assessments, planning, interventions and evaluation of treatment.
Mental health treatment provided is documented within prescribed guidelines in CPRS.
Provide Veterans and their family members with education regarding their illness, medications and treatment plan.
Provide outreach to clients who are having problems with treatment adherence and who may be relapsing.
Coordinate with other agencies and make referrals to provide patients with necessary community services.
Enter orders for laboratory and consults per policy; administer injections per order; deliver efficient, comprehensive and continuous patient‑driven holistic care through active collaboration, communication and coordination of resources.
Refer to, consult with and coordinate care with other VA health care providers.
Assess patients and provide additional support between visits with LIPs.
Provide information regarding expected outcome of medications; act as liaison to Inpatient Psychiatric Unit to facilitate continuity of care.
Assist in scheduling, re‑scheduling appointments and cancellations.
Work closely with the advanced medical support assistant (AMSA) with appointments and scheduling.
Provide coverage as needed for other staff in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
Demonstrate clinical knowledge in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating care for a designated group of patients across the continuum of care.
Provide crisis assessment and intervention; complete screenings, assessments and secure messages – alerts provider ASAP with any outliers; perform suicide risk assessments and/or mental status exams.
Identify patients at high risk for harm to self or others related to mobility issues, disruptive behavior, suicidal/homicidal ideations or withdrawal complications with appointments, phone call or walk‑ins.
Demonstrate a commitment to customer service and maintain a therapeutic and professional relationship with appropriate professional role boundaries.
Utilize policy orders appropriately.
Maintain confidentiality of all patient information – including electronic, print and conversations.
Promote cost‑effective use of resources.
Promote wellness by empowering the patient to self‑management through education and patient‑driven health care delivery.
Involve all members of both core and expanded teams in identifying problems – collecting and analyzing data – and problem resolution.
Utilize creativity and innovation and recommend changes that will improve patient care or clinical efficiency.
Promote patient and personnel safety.
Follow infection control and VHSO policies – including reusable medical equipment.
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 – 4:30 pm at the discretion of the department.
Telework: Available Virtual – This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Contact Jennifer Isbell‑Gross – EDRP Coordinator – at jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov for questions/assistance.
Learn more.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval: award amount up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
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)
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 the 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6
Individuals graduating from 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 than 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)
Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties 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 and dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates – and if appropriate – the level within a grade
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/12937134
Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental – knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing – 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 needs
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I; 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 II
Or a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level II
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 III
Or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III
Or a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III
Or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
Or a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no 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 a 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 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 BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Preferred Experience: Providing behavioral health services with adult populations
Experience providing behavioral health services through telehealth modalities
Experience working as a member of a collaborative multidisciplinary care team
Experience implementing evidence‑based assessment and intervention practices
Physical Requirements: This position requires light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds – use of fingers – both hands required – near vision correctable at 13\"\" to 16\"\" to Jaeger 1 to 4 – far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other – ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Hearing with aid
Mental & emotional stability
Ability to hear conversations voice (aid permitted)
External Factors: Protracted or irregular hours of work
Duties
The BHIP Nurse in Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is a vital member of the Mental Health Team who works in collaboration with licensed independent providers (LIPs) to assure high quality care to the Veteran with psychiatric diagnoses/mental health needs.
The BHIP Nurse works closely within an interdisciplinary team framework to help foster independent living through appropriate management of the client's mental illness by providing assessments, planning, interventions and evaluation of treatment.
Mental health treatment provided is documented within prescribed guidelines in CPRS.
Provide Veterans and their family members with education regarding their illness, medications and treatment plan.
Provide outreach to clients who are having problems with treatment adherence and who may be relapsing.
Coordinate with other agencies and make referrals to provide patients with necessary community services.
Enter orders for laboratory and consults per policy; administer injections per order; deliver efficient, comprehensive and continuous patient‑driven holistic care through active collaboration, communication and coordination of resources.
Refer to, consult with and coordinate care with other VA health care providers.
Assess patients and provide additional support between visits with LIPs.
Provide information regarding expected outcome of medications; act as liaison to Inpatient Psychiatric Unit to facilitate continuity of care.
Assist in scheduling, re‑scheduling appointments and cancellations.
Work closely with the advanced medical support assistant (AMSA) with appointments and scheduling.
Provide coverage as needed for other staff in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.
Demonstrate clinical knowledge in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting and evaluating care for a designated group of patients across the continuum of care.
Provide crisis assessment and intervention; complete screenings, assessments and secure messages – alerts provider ASAP with any outliers; perform suicide risk assessments and/or mental status exams.
Identify patients at high risk for harm to self or others related to mobility issues, disruptive behavior, suicidal/homicidal ideations or withdrawal complications with appointments, phone call or walk‑ins.
Demonstrate a commitment to customer service and maintain a therapeutic and professional relationship with appropriate professional role boundaries.
Utilize policy orders appropriately.
Maintain confidentiality of all patient information – including electronic, print and conversations.
Promote cost‑effective use of resources.
Promote wellness by empowering the patient to self‑management through education and patient‑driven health care delivery.
Involve all members of both core and expanded teams in identifying problems – collecting and analyzing data – and problem resolution.
Utilize creativity and innovation and recommend changes that will improve patient care or clinical efficiency.
Promote patient and personnel safety.
Follow infection control and VHSO policies – including reusable medical equipment.
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 – 4:30 pm at the discretion of the department.
Telework: Available Virtual – This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Contact Jennifer Isbell‑Gross – EDRP Coordinator – at jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov for questions/assistance.
Learn more.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
#J-18808-Ljbffr