Registered Nurse - Mental Health Care Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Fargo, ND

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse - Mental Health Care Manager works in the outpatient clinic of the Mental Health Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team. The position supports high-quality care and recovery through assessment, planning, interventions, evaluation of treatment, and continuity of care for Veterans receiving mental health services. The nurse provides direct and indirect Veteran-centered care for emergent, urgent, and non-urgent needs through phone triage or direct contact.

The nurse assesses Veterans in the context of their families and communities, including living conditions, individual and family dynamics, and cultural background, and incorporates this information into the plan of care. The nurse advocates for Veterans during care coordination, serves as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator and primary point of contact, maintains contact as indicated, and helps develop and update treatment plans with Veteran input. The role also includes support between clinic visits, such as medication follow-up calls, and coordination with the Veteran's care team or community and emergency services when complex situations arise.

The position follows a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 0800 to 1630. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

The VA describes its approach as a Whole Health System of care, intended to empower Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to community.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the stated provisions for qualifying bridge-program candidates and foreign nursing education.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including a pre-employment physical evaluation; applicants selected for testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• A pre-employment background/security investigation is required.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment if seeking program participation; eligibility and award approval are determined by the program office.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Two years of Mental Health Case Management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect Veteran-centered mental health care for emergent, urgent, and non-urgent needs through phone triage or direct contact.
• Assess Veterans in the context of their families and communities, incorporating living conditions, family dynamics, and cultural background into the plan of care.
• Advocate for Veterans during care coordination by supporting decisions, clarifying options, and problem-solving with the interdisciplinary team.
• Serve as the Mental Health Treatment Coordinator and primary point of contact and liaison to facilitate resolution of identified needs.
• Maintain regular contact with Veterans as indicated.
• Understand treatment goals and ensure coordination and development of treatment plans that include Veteran input.
• Monitor and facilitate timely updates to treatment plans.
• Provide support between clinic visits in coordination with the Veteran's provider, including medication follow-up calls to assess compliance and response and reinforce patient and family teaching.
• Use triage techniques and case management theories to enhance Veteran and provider satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Veterans and the health care team to evaluate and update changes in plans of care and management of patient conditions.
• Recognize complex situations affecting Veteran care and intervene using protocol-based interventions, communication with the health care team, or care within the community or emergency room.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards 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, comprising 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