Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Portland, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse provides inpatient mental health nursing care while developing psychiatric mental health nursing practice. The position builds understanding of inpatient mental health treatment, patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, and self-awareness in caring for patients with mental health conditions. The nurse participates in unit and interdisciplinary activities, supports a safe and therapeutic environment, documents nursing care, maintains professional boundaries, and seeks guidance to improve care for patients and families. The role applies mental health principles and theory with limited application of critical-thinking skills.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility requirements and approval. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. The VHA program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years); former EDRP participants are ineligible. The position is permanent, has variable night hours (1900–0730) and variable 12-hour shifts, with an opportunity for additional shifts. Telework and virtual work are not available, and relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

The role requires graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program or an eligible equivalent pathway, current unrestricted U.S. nursing registration (subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception), and proficiency in written and spoken English. Grade and level depend on education and applicable nursing experience. The position also entails VA pre-employment and other federal employment conditions, including a physical evaluation and seasonal influenza vaccination.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a qualifying professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or meet an accepted alternative education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and professional nursing experience qualifications for the grade and level sought.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Submit to required pre-employment urinalysis, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; refusal to take required drug testing results in denial of employment.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification; beginning May 7, 2025, non-REAL-ID-compliant driver's licenses or state identification cards are not acceptable for employment verification.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment if seeking program consideration; eligibility and approval are subject to VHA policy, and former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Responsibilities

• Develop personal growth and psychiatric mental health nursing practice.
• Build awareness of inpatient mental health treatment principles and goals, including patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, and self-awareness in caring for patients with mental health conditions.
• Attend and observe nurse-led psychoeducational groups; use therapeutic communication and recovery-oriented language; and practice de-escalation techniques.
• Participate in shift reports and warm hand-offs, the mental health interdisciplinary treatment team, and mental health Environment of Care rounds.
• Respond to psychiatric emergencies as directed.
• Identify safety concerns and hazardous items to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment of care.
• Document nursing assessments, plans of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds in accordance with facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the patient's best interest.
• Seek guidance on improving mental health care for patients and families.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award amount of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• 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