Registered Nurse - Mental Health (PTSD)

Veterans Health Administration • Batavia, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Western New York VA Medical Center is seeking a Registered Nurse to work full time on the Mental Health PTSD Domiciliary Team at the Batavia VA location. The nurse provides and leads competent, evidence-based care for assigned patients and helps direct nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, and outcomes-utilization consultation. The role participates in the mental health interdisciplinary treatment team, patient-safety and environment-of-care rounds, and responses to psychiatric and medical needs and emergencies. The nurse facilitates shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups; uses therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language; and oversees the patient safe medication management program. The incumbent reports safety concerns and documents nursing assessments, risk screens, plans of care, and safety and environment-of-care rounds in accordance with facility policy. The nurse maintains professional boundaries, protects patient vulnerabilities, acts in patients’ best interests, and fosters a safe, supportive environment for healthcare professionals’ development.

The position is full time with a variable day/night tour of duty. A compressed or flexible schedule is authorized; telework and virtual work are not authorized. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change-of-station benefits, are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility requirements and application process. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined after review of the application; former participants are ineligible.

The position requires a graduate nursing education from an appropriately accredited school or qualifying equivalent, and current, full, active, unrestricted U.S. nursing registration, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception. Applicants must meet the relevant education, experience, and grade-determination requirements. The role also has specified physical requirements, including lifting up to 35 pounds, and requires medical clearance.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or a qualifying nursing education equivalent as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable grade-level education and professional or specialized nursing experience criteria.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, pull, push, and walk for limited periods; lift up to 35 pounds; and transfer patients and objects as required.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while typing, viewing a computer monitor, and using a telephone.
• Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment when exposed to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation situations, or invasive procedures.
• Meet required screening/testing and obtain medical clearance from Employee Occupational Health.
• Meet federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship subject to the stated exception, applicable Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, pre-employment drug testing for testing-designated positions, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• One year of medical/surgical or mental health experience.
• PTSD experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care, taking responsibility and accountability for all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinate care across the continuum, focusing on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction.
• Follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Participate in unit- or program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.
• Demonstrate leadership and creative approaches to managing complex client care.
• Share knowledge with colleagues to support safe, quality nursing care and question clinical practices to promote evidence-based care.
• Participate actively in the mental health interdisciplinary treatment team and patient-safety and environment-of-care rounds.
• Respond to psychiatric and medical care needs and emergencies as directed.
• Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Provide oversight of the patient safe medication management program.
• Report safety concerns and document nursing assessments, risk screens, plans of care, and safety and environment-of-care rounds according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries, protect patient vulnerabilities, and act in the patient's best interest.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to healthcare professionals’ professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with a potential award of up to $200,000 subject to approval and eligibility.
• 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.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree