Registered Nurse (Nurse Educator Mental Health)

Summary

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising staff education. Delivers a fundamental understanding of adult learning principles and a lifelong learner that can practice with flexibility to adapt or change learning strategies based on the assessment of learning needs within the healthcare organization. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates educational needs to facilitate learner development and skill training of clinical staff.

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
• Preferred Experience: Masters degree in Nursing - ideally in Nursing Education
• doctorate preferred
• Nursing Professional Development Certification and psychiatric mental health clinical certification (such as PMH BC)
• Three to five years of progressive psychiatric mental health nursing experience with strong clinical assessment and therapeutic communication skills
• At least two years of experience in staff or professional development - including education facilitation - competency management - and onboarding
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications and educational technologies
• Strong organizational - communication - and interpersonal skills
• able to collaborate across interprofessional and behavioral health teams
• Experience with clinical simulation - including scenario design - facilitation - debriefing - and operation of simulation technology - with emphasis on mental health specific scenarios
• Demonstrated skill in curriculum design - instructional methodology - program evaluation - and involvement in accreditation processes
• Experience teaching in person - online - blended - and technology enhanced learning environments - including learning management system proficiency
• 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/12974231
• 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting
• There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.
  
  

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Utilizes innovative teaching strategies - assessment skills - and evaluation of outcomes
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of education focused on staff education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the healthcare continuum
• Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the department level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• The Nurse Educator is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based education to staff
• Provides educational instruction and training for nursing staff in clinical and outpatient units
• The Nurse Educator understands instructional design - implementation - and application related to education and training
• Performs learning needs assessments - develops educational trainings for clinical staff within organization
• Assists with the orientation of new employees - evaluation of their progress in the orientation process - and development and implementation of a learning plan for improving identified deficiencies
• Serves as a trainer and consultant for Resuscitation Education Initiative (Redi) Program including certification as Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor
• Monitors and tracks BLS/Advanced Life Support (ALS) compliance within the organization
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to support and evaluate responses to emergency responses in the facility to include BLS and ALS
• Organizes - participates - and evaluates mock codes
• Supports nurse residency programs including the development of curriculum utilizing strategic learning methodologies such as simulation - lecture case studies and virtual reality
• Develops proficient level coaching and mentoring skills
• Systematically evaluates current practice - formulate outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise
• Collaborates with other Nurse Educators and interprofessional healthcare teams in the ongoing clinical education activities including in-services - training - competency assessment - and evaluations of both current and new staff nursing skills
• Reviews current nursing literature for new trends and changes based on evidence-based research with the ability to propose practice and documentation revisions based on evaluation of outcomes
• Collaborates with leadership and unit managers to identify educational training needs for staff - while supporting activities that foster competence - critical thinking - and decision making
• Provides consultation and collaboration through the participation within organizational committees
• Ability to analyze - interpret - and evaluate data to determine outcomes and changes related to educational programs
• 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection
• This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination - faster assessments - and efficient pre-employment actions
• Applicants can expect a more transparent - predictable - and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty
• What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes - Human Resources will quickly review applications - issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration
• Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager
• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer - applicants should be prepared to complete required steps - such as fingerprinting and background check - credentialing - and medical examination within 3 days of the offer
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones - including referral - tentative offer - and onboarding instructions
• After meeting pre-employment requirements - candidates will receive a final job offer and start date
• Onboarding tasks may continue after starting - with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service
• If selected - applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing
• Work Schedule: M-F Day shift Flexible due to facility needs