• Perform full range of advanced practice nursing care duties for patients requiring psychiatric/behavioral health services.
• Evaluate new patient and existing patients on behavioral health/psychiatric needs.
• Implement mutually agreed upon solutions regarding behavioral health.
• Educate patients about risks and benefits of prescribed medications.
• Observe patients closely, evaluate and record any significant behavior and reaction patterns.
• Comply with all appropriate Joint Commission standards and National Patient Safety goals, and other quality improvement projects.
• Maintain appropriate records using a computerized record keeping and coding system.
• Participate in the quality improvement system.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• This position may have specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• Selectees may be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
• A pre-placement medical examination may be required.
• Immunization screening may be required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• May be required to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• May be required to obtain and maintain Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure with no limitations, stipulations or pending adverse actions.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner licensure.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements.
• This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position may require the incumbent to work weekends and/or holidays.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner-Clinical/Psychiatric):

Education: A graduate or higher level degree from an accredited professional nursing educational program in Nurse Practitioner-Clinical/Psychiatric is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.).

Foreign Degree: Graduates of foreign nursing schools must have completed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Certification Program. The certification program consists of a credentials evaluation, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, and evidence of passing one of the approved English Language Proficiency examinations. A copy of the CGFNS Certificate is required.

Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.

Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse in the specialty of Nurse Practitioner-Clinical/Psychiatric or related specialty from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State accrediting agency at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

Active, current registration as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Professional Nursing Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience which includes (1) diagnosing psychiatric illnesses for beneficiaries needing psychiatric/behavioral health services; and (2) performing psychiatric evaluations to assess psychiatric/behavioral patients; and (3) prescribing medications to patients with psychiatric/behavioral health needs. This definition of professional nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.