Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Madison, WI

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. The nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care using age-specific components and coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

The Mental Health RN provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to Veterans with mental health conditions. The role includes coordinating care with inpatient mental health units and interdisciplinary teams, facilitating warm hand-offs and nurse-led psychoeducational groups, educating patients and their families, documenting assessments and care plans, addressing safety concerns, and responding to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The nurse also supports colleagues, provides constructive feedback, and contributes to a safe, supportive environment for professional development.

This is a full-time position with a stated Monday–Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; however, rotating tours/hours and floating to other work areas may be required according to organizational and Veteran care needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position may require incidental operation of a government-owned or leased vehicle, for which a valid state-issued driver's license and medical clearance are required.

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.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• A valid state-issued driver's license and medical clearance by Employee Occupational Health are required for incidental driving.
• Ability to meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including a physical evaluation/examination, background/security investigation, and seasonal influenza vaccination program requirements.
• Walking, bending, stooping, some lifting, and potentially extended periods of sitting are required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Two years of mental health nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care using age-specific components.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care.
• 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 illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Report and assist with or direct resolution of safety concerns, collaborating 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 care plans according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the patient's best interest.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback and share knowledge with colleagues and other nurses to support safe, quality care.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment for the professional development of health care professionals.
• Float to other work areas when competencies are verified, as required by organizational and Veteran care needs.
• Operate or ride in GSA vehicles when required for assigned duties.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• 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.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and program approval, with awards up to $200,000.

What This Job Offers

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