The incumbent practices as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) within the Mental Health service primarily located within the Social and Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS) and, occasionally the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP), Tele-mental Health services, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the state of Alaska. The APRN functions as an independent member of the medical staff with delineated clinical privileges. Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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). NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. License and Certification: License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Physical Requirements: heavy lifting (45lbs & over); moderate carrying (15-44lbs); straight pulling (1hr); pulling hand over hand (1hr); pushing (2hrs); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4hrs); standing (4hrs); kneeling 1hr); repeated bending; both legs (required); ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; emotional/mental stability; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: dry atmospheric conditions; fumes, smoke, or gases; electrical energy; working closely with others; vibration; working with hands in water; working alone; protracted or irregular working hours; hazardous drugs. ["As a member of an assigned interdisciplinary team or Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), the incumbent will be responsible for providing psychiatric-mental health care to outpatient and inpatient Veterans with chronic or acute mental illness including addictions, changes in mental status, and/or functional decline within the Alaska VA Healthcare System. Direct clinical care duties and responsibilities (80% of position) include but are not limited to: a. Utilizing interpersonal and clinical skills to provide direct mental health services to Veterans for 80% of total available clinic time or 32 hours per week. b. Conducting history and mental health status exams on assigned patients with physical exams being completed when clinically indicated. c. Completing intake assessments and formulating diagnoses. d. Developing, documenting, and updating treatment plans with VHA guidelines and accreditation standards. e. Presenting treatment plans to interdisciplinary treatment teams. f. Ordering all necessary diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies, including laboratory and radiological assessments. g. Prescribing medications and supplies in accordance with VHA policy, VA formulary guidelines, state regulations, and scope of practice. h. Initiating and processing consults. i. Making appropriate referrals for continuation of care and treatment. j. Providing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy as indicated in the treatment plan. k. Accurate, effective, and timely documentation of patient encounters within VHA guidelines. l. Completing due clinical reminders with Veterans during scheduled appointments. m. Seeking consultation with physician for out of scope of practice cases. n. Formulating, initiating, and evaluating health care teaching related to patients and their families. o. Acting as a consultant for nursing, medical, and other clinical staff. p. Placing return to clinic orders for patients for follow-up care. Administrative duties and responsibilities (20% of position) include but are not limited to: a. Completing and closing patient encounters within VHA guidelines. b. Preparing for scheduled patient encounters. c. Participating within the MH and S&BHS services to include attending S&BHS staff trainings, Monday Huddles, and MH/S&BHS Monthly Meetings. d. Participating in assigned VISN and National level calls or trainings. e. Participating in developing and implementing service level improvement plans and projects such as completing tracers, performing Environment of Care (EOC) rounds, and accreditation readiness. f. Participating in professional and administrative activities as assigned. g. Remaining current on service Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Medical Center Policies (MCPs), VHA directives, VHA handbooks, Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and accreditation standards. 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: 8am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized: as determined by the agency policy Telework: Available; as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: AUTHORIZED to those that qualify EDRP Authorized: Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply."]

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