Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health Intensive Care Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Buffalo, NY

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented, evidence-based nursing care to Veterans receiving outpatient mental health services. The nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care; promotes patient education and self-management; and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to support continuity of care, patient safety, and improved health outcomes. Work is performed according to established nursing standards, policies, and procedures.

The position includes conducting psychosocial and clinical assessments in community settings; providing nursing triage and risk screenings; educating Veterans, families, and caregivers; coordinating care and transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings; and using therapeutic communication, de-escalation, and recovery-oriented approaches. The nurse may facilitate or participate in nurse-led psychoeducational groups, telehealth services, and other therapeutic interventions. The role also involves responding to safety concerns and emergencies, documenting care, contributing to quality improvement and evidence-based practice, supporting professional development, and exercising sound clinical judgment in complex situations.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval. The approved award may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. Applications must be submitted within four months of appointment; former EDRP participants are ineligible. The schedule is variable weekdays, Monday through Friday, with specific hours determined by service needs. Ad-hoc telework is authorized; this is not a virtual position. Recruitment, relocation, and permanent change-of-station incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education under the stated bridge-program or foreign-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, except as permitted under the Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the applicable education, experience, and practice criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a drug test for testing-designated positions and a physical evaluation/examination.
• Comply with background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Submit transcripts when education is used to establish qualifications; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing nursing care in mental health, substance use disorder treatment, or related clinical settings.
• Experience coordinating, organizing, and prioritizing patient care in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic or psychoeducational groups and using evidence-based nursing practices.
• Experience in acute medical/surgical, primary care, or Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) settings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial and clinical assessments in community settings.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care based on patient needs, standards, and evidence-based practices.
• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented mental health nursing care that promotes safety, independence, and self-management.
• Conduct nursing triage assessments, risk screenings, clinical reminders, and other appropriate clinical assessments.
• Educate Veterans, families, and caregivers about mental health conditions, medications, treatment plans, and available resources.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment teams to coordinate care, support continuity of services, and improve outcomes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, care coordination, and transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and recovery-oriented approaches with Veterans experiencing mental health concerns.
• Facilitate or participate in nurse-led psychoeducational groups, telehealth services, and other therapeutic interventions.
• Identify, report, and respond to patient safety concerns, psychiatric emergencies, and medical emergencies according to established protocols.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of nursing assessments, interventions, patient education, and plans of care.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, evidence-based practice activities, and efforts to improve care delivery and outcomes.
• Support professional development through collaboration, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and nursing education activities.
• Demonstrate leadership and sound clinical judgment in complex patient care situations, consistent with assigned responsibilities and practice level.
• Maintain professional boundaries, protect patient confidentiality, and adhere to nursing standards, policies, and ethical guidelines.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over 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