Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Chesapeake, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Hampton VA Medical Center’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Chesapeake, Virginia, is hiring a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse. The nurse reports directly to the Nurse Manager or designee of the Outpatient Behavioral Health Unit and provides independent, patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to Veterans with behavioral health disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance dependence, and related medical conditions. The role includes administering medications as directed by the ordering provider and in accordance with facility policies and procedures.

The nurse works with an interdisciplinary mental health team, using therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language. The role includes educating Veterans and their families or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans; coordinating care and warm hand-offs; supporting continuity of care with inpatient mental health units; and responding to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. The nurse documents triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and plans of care, maintains professional boundaries, addresses safety concerns, and supports colleagues and evidence-based practice.

The position also involves reviewing upcoming patients to identify high-risk Veterans and follow-up needs; tracking and contacting Veterans with high-risk flags or those identified for Reach Vet; completing suicide screens and safety plans as appropriate; and conducting outreach to high-risk Veterans who miss appointments or need follow-up. The nurse collaborates with specialty clinics, supports same-day access and walk-in coverage, helps connect Veterans who frequently use emergency services to appropriate care, and responds to Veterans’ messages and phone calls for triage. Additional duties include tracking and completing in-scope clinical reminders and mental health screenings, placing appropriate consults, following community care referrals, and providing mental health nursing coverage as needed.

This is a full-time, onsite position in Chesapeake, Virginia. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 08:00–16:30. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to VHA eligibility and application requirements; the program may provide up to $200,000 in loan repayment, with the award and eligibility period determined after application review.

Requirements

• Graduate from an approved professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or meet the stated alternative education provisions for qualifying bridge-program or foreign nursing graduates.
• Hold current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Be proficient in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• Meet the education, experience, and scope requirements for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Selected applicants are subject to drug testing, background and security investigation, and completion of online onboarding.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Physical ability to perform the listed demands, including heavy lifting of 45 pounds or more, pulling, reaching, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, and the specified vision, color distinction, hearing, and mental and emotional stability requirements.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2–3 years of direct patient care experience as a Registered Nurse in mental health.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications as ordered by the provider and in accordance with facility policies and procedures.
• Participate in mental health interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Educate Veterans and their family members or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Participate in warm hand-offs and care coordination, liaise with inpatient mental health units to support continuity of care, and respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed.
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and plans of care in accordance with facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries, protect patient vulnerabilities, and address safety concerns.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing and foster a safe, supportive environment for healthcare professionals.
• Question clinical practices to support evidence-based care.
• Review Veterans scheduled for the day or week to identify high-risk patients, follow-up needs, and pending behavioral health consults.
• Track and follow up with Veterans with high-risk flags and those identified for Reach Vet.
• Complete suicide screens and safety plans as appropriate.
• Conduct outreach to high-risk Veterans who miss appointments or have not scheduled indicated follow-up.
• Coordinate with specialty clinics, including HUD/VASH, CWT, PRRC, PTSD Clinic, and STAR, to help establish Veterans in needed care.
• Provide walk-in clinic coverage to support Veteran Same Day Access requests.
• Conduct outreach to support Veterans, obtain information relevant to treatment, and report back to treatment providers.
• Identify Veterans who frequently use emergency services and help connect them to the appropriate level of care or their regular provider, including through CCICM referrals.
• Respond to Veterans’ MHV messages and phone calls as a front-line triage resource, resolving issues within scope or referring them to the appropriate team member.
• Track and complete clinical reminders and mental health screenings within scope, and alert providers to reminders requiring completion.
• Place consults as appropriate and within scope, and follow up on community care referrals.
• Provide mental health nursing staffing coverage as needed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and application requirements, with potential loan repayment of up to $200,000.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Regular salary increases and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree