Nurse (RN Staff Outpatient Mental Health)
United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Rome, GA
posted 3 months ago
About the position
The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) for the Outpatient Mental Health department at our VA Clinic in Rome, Georgia. This position is pivotal in providing patient-centered and recovery-oriented care to Veterans living with mental health conditions. The RN will be responsible for facilitating care coordination, ensuring continuity of care between outpatient and inpatient mental health units, and participating in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings. The role requires the use of therapeutic communication techniques and de-escalation strategies to support patients and their families in understanding their illnesses, medications, and treatment plans. In addition to direct patient care, the RN will document nursing assessments, risk screenings, and patient care plans in accordance with facility policies. The position also involves leading psychoeducational groups and addressing safety concerns in collaboration with program leadership. The RN will demonstrate leadership and creative management approaches in handling complex client care situations, ensuring that professional boundaries are maintained to protect patient vulnerabilities. This is a full-time, permanent position with a work schedule from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The role does not offer telework options, and relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized. The RN will be expected to participate in mandatory vaccination programs, including for COVID-19, and must pass a pre-employment physical examination. The Veterans Health Administration values its employees and offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive salaries, paid time off, and retirement benefits.
Responsibilities
- Provide patient-centered and recovery-oriented care to Veterans with mental health conditions.
- Facilitate care coordination between outpatient and inpatient mental health units.
- Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings.
- Conduct nurse-led psychoeducational groups for patients and their families.
- Utilize therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques in patient interactions.
- Educate Veterans and their families about mental health conditions, medications, and treatment plans.
- Document nursing assessments, risk screens, and patient care plans according to facility policy.
- Collaborate with program leadership to improve patient and program outcomes.
- Direct team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
- Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship is required; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
- Must possess a full and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in a U.S. state or territory.
- Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing.
- Proficiency in basic written and spoken English is mandatory.
- Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and participate in mandatory vaccination programs.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in outpatient mental health settings.
- Knowledge of recovery-oriented practices in mental health care.
- Ability to lead psychoeducational groups effectively.
- Familiarity with documentation standards in healthcare settings.
Benefits
- Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards.
- 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays).
- Traditional federal pension with 5 years vesting and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA.
- Comprehensive health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance options.
