Registered Nurse - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Montrose, NY

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse MH Substance Treatment Program (STP) Registered Nurse (RN) promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. The MH STP RN 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. Duties VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties include but are not limited to: The MH STP RN 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. The MH STP RN will administer injectable medications and complete electrocardiograms (ECG) and other applicable psychosocial interventions. Uses the nursing process and evidence-based in assessing patients' medical and mental health 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 in diverse areas, 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 acts in the best interest of the patient.

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/examination.
• 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).
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.)
• Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 complete electrocardiograms (ECG) and other applicable psychosocial interventions.
• Uses the nursing process and evidence-based in assessing patients' medical and mental health needs, developing initial care plans, monitoring patients' status, and providing transitional care.
• Functions as an advocate for patients.
• Serves as a team player with colleagues in diverse areas.
• Works to foster their own professional growth as well as that of team members and colleagues.
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and acts in the best interest of the patient.

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)

What This Job Offers

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