RN- Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery- Case Management

Veterans Health Administration • Hines, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR) Registered Nurse provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing and case-management services to Veterans with pervasive mental illness, severe functional impairment, and high inpatient mental health utilization. The position is in the Mental Health unit at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and coordinates community-based care with existing VA and community services.

The RN is accountable for the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of mental-health-specific care. The role coordinates care across the mental health continuum, supports patient education and self-management, and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to improve outcomes. The nurse uses therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, recovery-oriented language, and self-awareness in working with patients and their families or significant others.

The RN provides outpatient community-based services that may include transportation, medication management, and consultation in homes or community settings, and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. The role documents triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and plans of care according to facility policy; maintains professional boundaries; reports and helps resolve safety concerns; and contributes to colleagues’ development and the improvement of nursing and program outcomes.

Requirements

• Graduate from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or meet an applicable VA education pathway for nursing graduates.
• Hold current, full, active, and unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an exception may apply to Graduate Nurse Technicians pursuing licensure.
• Demonstrate basic written and spoken English proficiency.
• Meet the education and professional nursing experience criteria for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including a background/security investigation, drug testing where applicable, and a physical evaluation/examination.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Travel into the community to provide services to Veterans and caregivers.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of mental health nursing experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care and remain accountable for all elements of the nursing process.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using mental-health-specific components.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the mental health continuum.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and coordinate continuity of care with inpatient mental health units.
• Attend and participate in mental health interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented language.
• Educate Veterans, family members, and/or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Provide outpatient, community-based mental health services to Veterans with pervasive mental illness, including transportation, medication management, and in-home or community consultation.
• Respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed, and direct team response to such emergencies.
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and plans of care in accordance with facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the patient’s best interest.
• Report and assist with or direct resolution of safety concerns, collaborating with program leadership to improve patient and program outcomes.
• Provide constructive feedback, share knowledge with peers and nurses, and foster a safe and supportive environment for professional development.
• Support and collaborate with mental health nursing and other disciplines.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, including 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 VA contributions.
• 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
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree