Outpatient Mental Health RN

Veterans Health Administration • Fort McPherson, GA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care to Veterans living with mental health conditions. The RN coordinates care with emergency departments and inpatient mental health units, participates in interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings, facilitates warm hand-offs, and develops and leads nurse-led psychoeducational groups. The RN uses therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans, family members, and significant others about illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.

The position includes reporting safety concerns, assisting with or directing their resolution, collaborating with program leadership to improve patient and program outcomes, and directing team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The RN documents triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and plans of care according to facility policy. The RN maintains professional boundaries, provides constructive feedback, shares knowledge with colleagues, and supports a safe environment for healthcare professionals’ development.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and timely application. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined after review of the application. The work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and may change based on agency needs. Telework and virtual work are unavailable. Relocation, recruitment, and permanent change-of-station incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying foreign nursing education with the required evaluation or registration.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Must meet the education and experience requirements for the assigned Nurse grade and level; requirements vary by grade and may include an ADN, BSN, MSN, or doctoral degree and specified professional or specialized nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must complete required background and security screening, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• A drug test is required before appointment, and the position is subject to random drug testing.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must comply with Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Must be capable of working effectively in stressful situations and shifting priorities based on patient needs.
• Physical capabilities include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; the position may involve prolonged walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and transferring patients or objects.
• May be exposed to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation precautions, and patients who may be combative due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of mental health nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to patients with mental health conditions.
• Coordinate care with emergency departments and inpatient mental health units to support continuity of care.
• Participate in mental health interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings and facilitate warm hand-offs.
• Develop content for and facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques and recovery-oriented language.
• Educate Veterans, family members, and significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Report safety concerns and assist with or direct their resolution.
• Collaborate with program leadership to improve patient and program outcomes.
• Direct team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient plans of care according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the patient's best interest.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback and share knowledge with colleagues to support safe, quality nursing care.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to healthcare professionals’ development.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment, with an award of up to $200,000 for approved applicants.
• 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