Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment.

Approval, amount & eligibility period are determined by the VHA ELRS program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Review the "Required Documents" section to ensure a complete application package Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.

Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.

(Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program.

Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).

Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade.

The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12916566.

Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.

An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.

Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.

Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.

*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate is an experienced outpatient mental health nurse with strong clinical judgment and the ability to provide high-quality, recovery-oriented care to Veterans with complex behavioral health needs.

This individual thrives in a dynamic, team-based environment and demonstrates the skills needed to support both patient care and clinic operations across outpatient mental health, PTSD, SUD, and rehabilitation settings.

Preferred qualifications include: Minimum of three years of experience in outpatient mental health, including PTSD, SUD, and rehabilitation-based care.

Demonstrated skill in working with Veterans living with co-occurring mental health and substance-use conditions. Proven ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.

Leadership experience, such as serving in coordination or charge-type roles, is highly desirable. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear and articulate speech, and manual dexterity to perform safe and effective nursing care.

The work involves prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, as well as the ability to transfer patients and objects as clinically necessary.

The nurse may be exposed to combative patients related to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and must demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and the ability to respond effectively in stressful situations.

The role requires the capacity to prioritize patient care needs, adapt to varying clinical demands, and meet the physical expectations associated with cross-training in multiple mental health settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential rehabilitation programs.

Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse deliver patient-centered, recovery-oriented care to Veterans living with a wide range of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions.

These nurses provide comprehensive assessments, support evidence-based interventions, administer medications, and coordinate care across the mental health continuum.

They utilize therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and trauma-informed approaches to maintain safety while promoting Veteran engagement, education, and self-management.

Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, Outpatient MH RNs participate in treatment planning, clinical huddles, warm hand-offs, and transitions of care between outpatient, inpatient, and residential programs.

Their duties include conducting psychiatric and medical triage assessments, completing risk screenings and clinical reminders, supporting substance use disorder treatment, and providing psychoeducation to Veterans and families.

They advocate for Veterans by integrating recovery principles, personalized care planning, and holistic health practices.

As grade levels advance, these nurses increasingly contribute to quality-improvement initiatives, staff education, evidence-based practice implementation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership within the practice setting.

Higher-level RNs lead unit-level process improvements, mentor and precept colleagues, enhance patient experience and safety, and support accreditation readiness and program development.

Throughout all levels, they maintain professional boundaries, uphold privacy and security standards, and foster a therapeutic environment conducive to Veteran recovery and staff development.

The major duties of the Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health include but not limited to: Provide comprehensive outpatient mental health nursing care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating clinical needs using evidence-based and recovery-oriented practices.

Conduct psychiatric and medical triage assessments, risk screenings, clinical reminders, and ongoing documentation in alignment with facility policy and mental health treatment standards.

Administer medications and deliver therapeutic and psychosocial interventions for Veterans experiencing biopsychosocial concerns, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

Utilize therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and professional boundaries to maintain a safe, recovery-focused environment that supports patient engagement and self-management.

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams through huddles, meetings, warm hand-offs, and coordinated transitions across outpatient, inpatient, residential, and specialty mental health programs.

Provide education to Veterans, families, and caregivers related to illness management, medications, coping strategies, health promotion, and recovery-based practices.

Participate in and support quality improvement initiatives, program development, and evidence-based practice implementation, with increasing leadership responsibilities at higher grade levels.

Contribute to a safe clinical environment through environment-of-care rounds, emergency response participation, and adherence to safety, privacy, and accreditation readiness standards.

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Night Shift, Rotating Weekends and Holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Contact VISN8CCOE@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized