Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking an Inpatient Registered Nurse for its Mental Health Service. The nurse provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care; maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with mental health conditions; and manages the milieu. The role includes facilitating shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups, as well as participating in interdisciplinary treatment teams and environment-of-care rounds. The nurse directs team responses to psychiatric emergencies, reports and helps resolve safety concerns, and documents assessments, plans of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds in accordance with facility policy. The position also contributes to policy and guideline development, supports professional development among peers, and evaluates evidence-based practice changes and mental health outcomes at the program or service level.

The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Work schedule is rotating shifts. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the education pathways and exceptions described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be possible for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including a physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis drug screening.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable; complete background/security investigation and online onboarding; and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Physical ability to perform the listed demands, including heavy lifting and carrying of 45 pounds or more, pushing and pulling, reaching above the shoulder, walking and standing for up to eight hours, and repeated bending.

Nice To Haves

• 1–2 years of clinical nursing experience.
• 1–2 years of experience working with behavioral health patients.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care and manage the inpatient mental health milieu.
• Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Participate in mental health interdisciplinary treatment teams and Environment of Care rounds.
• Direct team responses to psychiatric emergencies; report safety concerns and assist with resolving them.
• 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 interest of patients.
• Collaborate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Demonstrate leadership and provide peers with constructive feedback to improve care and practice.
• Foster a safe, supportive environment conducive to health care professionals' development.
• Evaluate mental health outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Be responsible for documented mental health outcomes at the program or service level.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 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 and 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree