Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration•Saint Louis, MO

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse provides competent, evidence-based, patient-centered and recovery-oriented nursing care to people living with mental health conditions. The nurse is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care and coordinates care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. The position follows established policies and guidelines and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes. It also participates in unit- and program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs, and assists with nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, and utilization of outcomes. The nurse works at both the John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks outpatient mental health clinics. This is an intermittent position with varying hours, scheduled Monday through Friday on an as-needed basis. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. Applicants must meet the nursing education and licensure requirements applicable to their grade. Basic requirements include proficiency in written and spoken English, graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program or an accepted equivalent, and current, full, active, unrestricted nursing registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to eligible candidates pursuing licensure. The role may require a probationary period and is subject to pre-employment screening, physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Requirements

Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
Graduation from a professional nursing school accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or an accepted equivalent education pathway.
Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Meet the education and experience criteria for the applicable Nurse grade and level.
U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment identification requirements.
Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
A probationary period may be required.

Nice To Haves

Mental health experience.

Responsibilities

Provide and, when applicable, supervise direct patient care using all elements of the nursing process.
Coordinate care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care.
Follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
Participate in unit- and program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.
Assist with nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, and efforts to enhance outcome utilization.
Facilitate warm hand-offs, tele-mental health care, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques and recovery-oriented language.
Educate Veterans, family members, and significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
Manage and prioritize patient care needs and ensure assigned tasks are completed.
Coordinate care with inpatient mental health units to promote continuity of care and participate in interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings.
Respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed.
Provide and direct Veteran/patient-driven care that supports patient experience, satisfaction, and safety for a team of patients.
Report and address safety concerns and document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and care plans according to facility policy.
Maintain professional boundaries, act in patients' best interests, and model ethical behavior.
Foster a safe, supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
Communicate effectively, promote teamwork, identify solutions, and integrate individual preferences and goals into evidence-based decisions.