Registered Nurse - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Spokane, WA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. Gains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH STP by understanding practices related to patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with substance use conditions. Provides direct patient care including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and clinical support. Provides acute and routine psychiatric assessment and intervention for a variety of psychosocial, SUD, and medical concerns and assists the STP staff in developing a recovery-based plan of care for the patient. Works directly with the SUD professionals, psychiatric, and clinical staff to support clinical treatment. Collaborates with patients, staff, and other care providers. Administers injectable medications and completes electrocardiograms (ECG) and other applicable psychosocial interventions. Uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice in assessing patients' medical and MH needs, developing initial care plans, monitoring patients' status, and providing transitional care, all from a perspective of recovery-oriented, personalized, proactive, patient-centered, holistic treatment approach. Functions as an advocate for patients, by serving as a team player with colleagues, and by working to foster their own professional growth as well as that of team members and colleagues. Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals and supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)
• Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Nice To Haves

• CARN (Certified Addictions Registered Nurse) Certification preferred
• 2 years of outpatient mental health/substance use disorder (SUD) experience preferred
• BSN/MSN preferred

Responsibilities

• Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.
• Gains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH STP by understanding practices related to patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with substance use conditions.
• Provides direct patient care including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and clinical support.
• Provides acute and routine psychiatric assessment and intervention for a variety of psychosocial, SUD, and medical concerns and assists the STP staff in developing a recovery-based plan of care for the patient.
• Works directly with the SUD professionals, psychiatric, and clinical staff to support clinical treatment.
• Collaborates with patients, staff, and other care providers.
• Administers injectable medications and completes electrocardiograms (ECG) and other applicable psychosocial interventions.
• Uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice in assessing patients' medical and MH needs, developing initial care plans, monitoring patients' status, and providing transitional care, all from a perspective of recovery-oriented, personalized, proactive, patient-centered, holistic treatment approach.
• Functions as an advocate for patients, by serving as a team player with colleagues, and by working to foster their own professional growth as well as that of team members and colleagues.
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals and supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

What This Job Offers

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