Registered Nurse (Domiciliary Mental Health)

Veterans Health Administration • Bath, NY

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System is hiring a full-time Registered Nurse for the Domiciliary Mental Health Team at the Bath VA Medical Center. The Outpatient Mental Health RN provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to patients living with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorder, while maintaining self-awareness and professional boundaries. The nurse helps foster a safe, supportive environment for patients and the professional development of healthcare colleagues.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, with the award amount and eligibility period determined after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply. The application must be submitted within four months of appointment.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule of 07:30–16:00 EST. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station, are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent education under the stated VA requirements.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the applicable VA nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except where VA policy permits appointment of qualified non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Complete required pre-employment screening, including urinalysis for positions designated for testing, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation/examination.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet applicable application, identification, onboarding, and other pre-employment requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Prior mental health or substance abuse/addictions treatment experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and lead competent, evidence-based care for assigned patients.
• Assist with directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities, and provide consultation on quality improvement and outcomes utilization.
• Provide patient-centered and recovery-oriented care to patients with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorder.
• Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques and recovery-oriented language; oversee the patient safe medication management program.
• Participate in the mental health interdisciplinary treatment team and patient safety and environment-of-care rounds.
• Respond to psychiatric and medical care needs and emergencies as directed.
• Report safety concerns and document nursing assessments, risk screens, nursing plans of care, and safety and environment-of-care rounds according to facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interests of patients.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing and question clinical practices to promote safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days 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