Registered Nurse - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Biloxi, MS

6h • 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 after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

The Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes their position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient-centered and recovery ­oriented care, maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions, and managing the milieu. Major duties include but are not limited to: Facilitates shift reports, warm hand-offs, and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psycho-educational groups. Use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language. Coordinates and actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, directs team response to psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and assists in safety concern resolution. Documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients. Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluates MH outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. Transports patients to community outings.

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.
• Must be a licensed registered nurse with no restrictions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with adults with serious mental illnesses.
• Prefer 5 years experience in mental health treatment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with intensive case management a plus.
• Must be able to drive government operated vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates shift reports, warm hand-offs, and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psycho-educational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language.
• Coordinates and actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, directs team response to psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and assists in safety concern resolution.
• Documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients.
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals.
• Evaluates MH outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level.
• Transports patients to community outings.

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