Registered Nurse-Outpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Columbus, OH

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse-Outpatient Mental Health provides and/or supervises direct patient care and is accountable for all elements of the nursing process. 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 nurse follows established procedures, policies, and guidelines and collaborates with team members to influence care outcomes.

In the outpatient mental health setting, the nurse provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to Veterans living with mental health conditions. The role coordinates care with inpatient mental health units, participates in interdisciplinary treatment-team huddles and meetings, facilitates warm hand-offs, and develops and leads nurse-led psychoeducational groups. The nurse uses therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques, recovery-oriented language, and provides education to Veterans and their families or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.

The nurse helps resolve safety concerns in collaboration with program leadership and directs team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies. Responsibilities also include documenting triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and plans of care according to facility policy; maintaining professional boundaries; providing constructive feedback and sharing knowledge with colleagues; and fostering a safe, supportive environment for professional development.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying foreign nursing education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level. Requirements vary by grade and may include an ADN or nursing diploma, BSN, MSN, or doctoral degree and applicable professional or specialized nursing experience.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Meet U.S. citizenship and other federal employment conditions stated in the announcement; non-citizens may be appointed only under the stated VA policy exception.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of direct nursing care, including prolonged periods of activity and the ability to lift or carry up to 35 pounds while following safe patient-handling guidelines.
• Adequate vision to perform assigned duties, distinguish basic colors, and assess patients and the environment safely; ability to hear sufficiently to perform assigned duties, with hearing aids permitted.
• Schedule and assignment flexibility may be required.

Nice To Haves

• One year of behavioral health and case management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care and carry out the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to Veterans living with mental health conditions.
• Coordinate continuity of care with inpatient mental health units, including interdisciplinary treatment-team huddles and meetings and warm hand-offs.
• Develop and facilitate 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.
• Report and assist with or direct resolution of safety concerns in collaboration with program leadership.
• Direct team responses to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient plans of care according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interests of patients.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback and support colleagues through knowledge sharing.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to health care professionals’ development.
• Follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines and collaborate with team members to improve care outcomes.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree