Registered Nurse- Outpatient Mental Health (Nashville)

Veterans Health Administration • Nashville, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides outpatient mental health care at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System in Nashville, Tennessee. The role focuses on patient-centered, recovery-oriented care for Veterans living with mental health conditions and on improving patient and organizational outcomes. The nurse coordinates care with inpatient mental health units and interdisciplinary treatment teams, facilitates warm hand-offs and team huddles, and develops and leads nurse-led psychoeducational groups. The nurse uses therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans and their families or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans. The position also involves addressing safety concerns, collaborating with program leadership, and directing team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The nurse documents triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and care plans in accordance with facility policy. The nurse maintains professional boundaries, provides constructive feedback and knowledge-sharing to colleagues, and supports a safe environment for the professional development of health care staff.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and application review. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, with the award amount and eligibility period determined by the VHA program office. The role is not virtual. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized at the supervisor’s discretion. Work schedule is based on service needs.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or an applicable qualifying nursing education pathway described in the announcement.
• 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 and experience criteria for the applicable Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment drug testing, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation/examination.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including visual acuity, hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to lift at least 50 pounds; prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing may be required.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, including influenza vaccination and TB screening or testing.
• Maintain the ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities according to organizational needs.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient mental health experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented outpatient mental health nursing care to Veterans.
• Coordinate care with inpatient mental health units and interdisciplinary treatment teams, including huddles, meetings, and warm hand-offs.
• Develop and facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Educate Veterans, family members, and significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Report and assist with or direct the resolution of safety concerns, and collaborate with program leadership to improve patient and program outcomes.
• Direct team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient care plans according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interest of patients.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback and share knowledge to support safe, quality nursing care.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment for the professional development of health care professionals.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.
• Regular salary increases and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

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