Registered Nurse- Inpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Des Moines, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) provides and leads competent, evidence-based care. The psychiatric mental health RN independently provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care and milieu management while maintaining self-awareness when caring for patients living with mental health conditions.

This is a temporary appointment not to exceed one year and is intermittent. Expected availability is one 12-hour shift per biweekly pay period; work is sporadic and unpredictable, without a regularly scheduled tour of duty. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network uses a Whole Health System of care that empowers and equips people to manage their health and well-being. Employees work toward personalized health plans for Veterans within healing relationships and environments and connections to the Veteran’s community. This approach supports the Veterans Health Administration mission to provide exceptional health care that improves Veterans’ health and well-being.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated VA provisions for bridge-program candidates or graduates of foreign nursing schools.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described for qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• Must meet the applicable education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants must undergo urinalysis drug screening, background/security investigation, online onboarding, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period and must complete application requirements listed in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of mental health experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care, taking responsibility for all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques.
• Participate in mental health interdisciplinary treatment team activities, Mental Health Environment of Care rounds, and psychiatric emergencies.
• Report and address safety concerns, and document nursing assessments, nursing plans of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy.
• Maintain current training in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) levels I–III and use PMDB effectively, focusing on de-escalation.
• Manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions while communicating clearly and concisely.
• Deliver self-directed professional nursing practice using the nursing process to care for complex patients, with occasional supervision.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Regular salary increases
• Potential for performance awards
• Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors

What This Job Offers

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