Registered Nurse (Inpatient Mental Health)

Veterans Health Administration • Wilkes Barre, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care. The nurse coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. The role includes administering medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes. The nurse also participates in unit- and program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.

The role involves caring for psychiatric, substance-use, and medically complex patients. The nurse responds to suicidal or violent emergencies; supports patients and their significant others with problem solving and coping skills; evaluates patients experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawal; redirects inappropriate behaviors; and supports rehabilitation toward an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle. The nurse assesses patients in restraints for continued need and readiness for removal, contracts with patients for safety, and directs care addressing physical needs such as nutrition, hydration, toileting, and range-of-motion exercises.

The nurse assesses developmental, abuse-related, gender, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and age-related factors affecting patient needs and emotional stability. The role includes guiding LPNs and Nursing Assistants in caring for psychiatric, substance-use, and medically ill patients, including patients with conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, chronic liver failure, Alzheimer disease, brain injury, and stroke.

The position is not telework or virtual. The stated schedule includes six tours per pay period from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and one tour from 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The announcement describes a comprehensive federal employee rewards package, including paid leave, retirement, insurance, salary increases, and potential performance awards. EDRP student loan repayment may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program approval and application requirements.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated VA exceptions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the announcement describes a Graduate Nurse Technician exception for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned VA nurse grade and level; listed pathways range from an associate degree or nursing diploma to bachelor's, master's, or doctoral qualifications, with applicable professional nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Complete required pre-employment urinalysis, background/security investigation, onboarding, and physical evaluation.
• Comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Mental health experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care through all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence patient care outcomes.
• Participate in unit- and program-level quality improvement processes and initiatives and customer service programs.
• Respond to emergent situations involving suicidal or violent patients.
• Communicate and interact with patients and their significant others to support problem solving and development of coping skills.
• Evaluate patients experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawal and respond to significant symptoms.
• Redirect patients displaying inappropriate behaviors and help them gain insight into their actions and behaviors.
• Assist residents in rehabilitation toward an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle.
• Assess patients in restraints for continued need and ability to have restraints removed, and contract with patients for their safety and others’ safety.
• Direct care of patients in restraints, including assessment of nutrition, hydration, toileting, and range-of-motion needs.
• Assess developmental, abuse, gender, and ethnicity concerns that may affect patients’ emotional stability.
• Guide LPNs and Nursing Assistants in caring for psychiatric, drug- and alcohol-affected, and medically ill patients, with attention to age-related needs.
• Assess patient needs on admission in relation to developmental stage, age, sex, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other needs.
• Provide safe, knowledgeable care for patients with neurological disturbances, including Alzheimer disease, brain injury, and stroke, and direct Nursing Assistants and LPNs in providing that care.

Benefits

• 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 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.
• Potential Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.

What This Job Offers

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