Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Goldsboro, NC

8d

About The Position

The Registered Nurse – Outpatient Mental Health provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to Veterans living with mental health conditions. The nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care; coordinates services across the continuum; supports patient education and self-management; administers medications as directed by the ordering provider; and documents nursing assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and plans of care according to facility policy.

The role includes coordinating with inpatient mental health units and interdisciplinary treatment teams, conducting warm hand-offs, and developing and facilitating nurse-led psychoeducational groups. The nurse uses therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language; educates Veterans and their families or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans; helps resolve safety concerns; and directs responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The position also involves supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a safe environment for professional development.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The approved award may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. The position is eligible for ad-hoc telework at supervisory discretion and is not virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or qualifying nursing education 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, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the applicable education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must pass required pre-employment screening, including applicable urinalysis, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation or examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using age-specific components.
• Coordinate care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications at the direction of the ordering provider.
• Coordinate with inpatient mental health units to support continuity of care, interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings, and warm hand-offs.
• Develop content for and facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Educate Veterans, family members, and significant others about illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.
• Report and assist with or direct 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 plans of care according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interest of patients.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback and support colleagues through knowledge sharing.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to health care professionals' professional development.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• 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 and 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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