Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse-Unit 23B

Veterans Health Administration • Brockton, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse position is in the Nursing, Mental Health service, Unit 23B at VA Boston Healthcare System in Brockton, Massachusetts. This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week on the night shift, with rotations to weekends and holidays. The nurse provides and leads competent, evidence-based, patient-centered, recovery-oriented psychiatric care and milieu management for patients living with mental health conditions. The position includes participation in interdisciplinary treatment, support for colleagues’ professional development, and oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement, with the award amount and eligibility period determined after review of an application submitted within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. The role is in the Excepted Service and may require travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics. Telework, virtual work, compressed or flexible scheduling, relocation, and recruitment incentives are not available or authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated VA provisions for bridge-program candidates or graduates of foreign nursing schools.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the applicable VA nurse grade and level. The posting describes Nurse II scope and criteria, including qualifying combinations of nursing education and professional nursing experience.
• Physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Complete required background/security investigation, pre-employment examination, online onboarding, and credentialing requirements.
• Undergo pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete a probationary period if required.
• Submit required application materials; current or former federal employees must provide the specified recent SF-50 documentation.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment to be considered for the program, subject to eligibility and approval.

Responsibilities

• Provide and lead competent, evidence-based psychiatric mental health nursing care that is patient-centered and recovery-oriented.
• Manage the therapeutic milieu and maintain self-awareness while caring for patients living with mental health conditions.
• Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication techniques, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Participate actively in the mental health interdisciplinary treatment team and mental health Environment of Care rounds.
• Assume team lead responsibilities during psychiatric emergencies.
• Report and assist in resolving safety concerns.
• Document nursing assessments, plans of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interests of patients while protecting their vulnerabilities.
• Provide oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities, and provide quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
• Provide peers with informal, constructive feedback and foster a safe, supportive environment for healthcare professionals’ development.
• Contribute a professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary discussions and support colleagues through mental health knowledge sharing.
• Share mental health educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers; question clinical practices to support evidence-based care; and participate in strategies that sustain an evidence-based mental health practice culture.
• Travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics if required.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, including 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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