Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Philadelphia, PA

5h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) - Outpatient Mental Health delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components and coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. The RN follows established procedures and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes.

In outpatient mental health, the RN develops psychiatric-mental health nursing practice and applies patient-centered and recovery-oriented principles, tele-mental health, community-based care, and self-awareness when caring for patients living with mental health conditions. The RN participates in interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings; uses therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques; uses recovery-oriented language; and educates Veterans and, when appropriate, their family members or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans. The role also includes warm hand-offs, care coordination, liaison with inpatient mental health units to facilitate continuity of care, and responding to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. The RN documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plans of care in accordance with facility policy, maintains professional boundaries, and performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described for candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable education and experience requirements for the assigned grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• All tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Complete application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using age-specific components.
• Coordinate care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Participate in mental health interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings.
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques and recovery-oriented language.
• Educate Veterans and, where appropriate, family members or significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Participate in warm hand-offs and care coordination, and liaise with inpatient mental health units to support continuity of care.
• Respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed.
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plans of care in accordance with facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries and act in the patient's best interest.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

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