Summary The Dom & PRRTP nurse provides specialized care to residents admitted/transferred to the Vocational Recovery Center. The nurse is accountable for promoting resident safety, continuity/ quality of care and general well-being of the resident. The nurse collaborates with physicians, nurse practitioner, psychologist, social worker, case managers and ancillary services to provide this care. This position is located at the Heinz Campus. Responsibilities Responsibilities include but are not limited to Answering the telephone, obtaining specimens, paging physicians, paging ancillary departments for services, reviewing physician orders, facilitating carrying orders out, printing lab labels and resident wristbands, taking verbal orders in an emergency, assisting with transportation, coordinating resident bed flow with the Bed Management Center (BMC), completing encounters, checking for expired supplies, and cleaning non-critical reusable medical equipment. Safely administer medications, prepares and administers medications correctly and understands the action and side effects of all medications administered. Use sound clinical judgment and demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on residents' conditions and needs. Recognizes deviations from normal and demonstrates the ability to respond to residents' immediate and long-term recovery needs. Applies knowledge of Domiciliary or PRRTP/SMI and Service Line policies and procedures to his/her daily clinical functions and responsibilities in their respective program. May act as 1:1 for assigned residents and perform case management duties utilizing the psychosocial rehabilitation model for recovery. Participates in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings to assist in developing rehabilitative treatment goals for residents in the Domiciliary Care and/or PRRTP/SMI program. As needed, provides escort duties to veterans based on their care needs. Delivers nursing care as needed and directed at any of the three sites comprising the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, i.e., emergency situation, staffing shortage, special projects. Able to apply the nursing process (focused observation, planning, implementation and evaluation) to care for the adult and geriatric resident with a variety of physical and/or behavioral concerns. Assess life threatening conditions and initiates and/or assists with CPR or other appropriate interventions including prompt notification of an RN or MD/NP to provide appropriate direction and intervention. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to provide and expedite resident care. Must maintain a current Basic Life Support Certification. Has the ability to recognize and independently respond to urgent and emergent situations. Knowledge of how to apply Prevention and Management of Disruptive behavior techniques. Functions as a member of the treatment team by participating in planning, implementation and assessment of nursing care using a focused assessment to care for the adult resident with a variety of physical and/or behavioral concerns. Participates in providing or reinforcing effective resident education to both resident and their family in relation to disease process, medications and treatments, procedures and surgeries, equipment and devices or any education deemed necessary. Documents the effectiveness of the education. Assists the resident in activities of daily living toward the attainment of rehabilitative and therapeutic goals. Assists others in the use of preventive techniques or measures when interacting with residents who display disruptive, acting out behaviors and practices the use of the least restrictive environment. Adheres to Medical Center policies and procedures when caring for residents on suicidal codes. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers. Ability to identify customer concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issue accurately and timely and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards or supply deficiencies and reports to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Recognizes and initiates life saving measures appropriately in the absence of other members of the health care team. Participates in planning and/or implementation of Condition A & C and Code Blue drills. Conducts group meetings to help resident share feelings, improve socialization skills and enhance their self-esteem. Preferred Experience : MHRRTP Experience, Residential Program Experience, able to facilitate Nursing topic group topics medical and mental health. Work Schedule: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM rotating to 6:00 PM to 6:30 AM when needed. (All candidates will be expected to rotate to cover their nursing peer's vacation weeks, extended leave days or when they are away for nursing trainings, these occurrence are rare but may occur Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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/12769318. 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: Heavy lifting up to (35 pounds); heavy carrying up to (35 pounds); straight pulling (2-4 hours); pushing (2-4 hours); reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4-6 hours); standing (4-6 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color; hear (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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 VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.