RN-Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP)

Duties

Financial Disclosure Report: not required.

The Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) registered nurse is a professional who manages and directs nursing care of patients with substance use disorders, co-occurring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and medical disorders. The nurse uses skills of assessment, planning, documenting and evaluating treatment of patients along with the multidisciplinary team of caregivers. The RN will also provide cross coverage on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit when staffing needs arise. The RN is responsible for providing a safe and therapeutic environment.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Completes assessment and plan of care on assigned patients and provides individualized nursing care
• Conducts ongoing reassessments to evaluate change of patients' status
• Plans for discharge/transfer of patients including completing discharge/transfer notes in CPRS
• Monitors recovery process and related medical, physical, and psychological problems and other interventions defined by unit policy
• Promotes and provides health care teaching to patients, includes family members when feasible and appropriate in patient treatment
• Demonstrates ability to manage the daily routine operations related to patient care on the unit in an appropriate and timely manner
• Seeks to continuously improve work processes and offer suggestions for the improvement of patient care
• Is proactive in identifying potential crisis situations and responds appropriately in emergency situations
• Acts as a preceptor/mentor to newer staff and/or students
• Administers medications as assigned; serves as a resource person for knowledge of medication uses, side effects, and dosage; checks for proper medication order; documents medications according to policy
• Functions competently as team leader or charge nurse makes staff assignments to ensure nursing care is delivered safely and appropriate care, ensuring adequate staffing for the current shift as well as oncoming shifts, collaborates with providers, the Access Crisis Team (ACT) team and with other areas of the hospital to coordinate patient admissions, transfers and discharges
• Assist with patient care and collaborates with Inpatient Psychiatric Unit (IPU) when needed. This will require orientation to the IPU
• Complete related TMS modules to have the ability to drive government vehicles to off campus activities in support of the Veteran in recovery
• Maintain professional boundaries, and support a positive and friendly work environment

Work Schedule: Rotating schedule.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.
• The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6)
• 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.
• RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Preferred Experience: Bachelor in Nursing (BSN) and one (1) year of experience in mental health or substance use disorders.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree.

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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.