The Nurse Practitioner position is located in Springfield Community Based Outpatient Clinic for the Mental Health Service, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more The advanced practice nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). Duties include but are not limited to: Acts as the primary clinician for patient in the Mental Health clinic settings; entering orders and other documentation for Veterans; entering orders for specialized diagnostic studies; evaluating results of diagnostic studies and consultations; and initiating appropriate follow up. 2. Obtain a relevant health and medical history, completes documentation in the Veteran's record. 3. Performs comprehensive physical examination, based on age and history. Performs psychiatric evaluation with assessment of potential for suicidal or homicidal ideation as needed. 4. Acting as the primary clinician for on-going treatment of Veterans. 5. Conducts preventative screening procedures based on age and history (including all mandated screening); educating Veterans regarding preventative health care. 6. Identifies medical and health risks and needs assessment; screening Veterans to determine their need for further care. 7. Initiates medical/surgical or appropriate referrals and consultations in accordance with specified protocols. 8. Formulates appropriate differential diagnosis based on history, physical examination and clinical findings. 9. Identifies needs of the individual, family or community, based on evaluation of the data collected. 10. Identifies, implements and evaluates appropriate plan of care, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. 11. Conducts medical history to facilitate prescription of psychotropic medications. 12. Provides relevant Veteran and family education. 13. Refers to other health professionals and community agencies. 14. Enters orders for Veterans including but not limited to: diagnostic studies, consultations, medications and supplies. 15. When indicated obtains informed consent for procedures, transfers or opioid contracts. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
