Registered Nurse; Outpatient Mental Health

Overview

The Salisbury VA Medical Health Care System is seeking a Full-Time Registered Nurse (Outpatient Mental Health) who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. This position is located at the South Charlotte VA Clinic.

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 ACEN or 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
• Upon achievement of a State license - eligible for temporary appointment and potential permanent appointment upon graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• Or graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing with current unrestricted registration meeting appointment requirements
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree requires formal degree equivalency validation
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: may be appointed at entry step on a 120-day temporary appointment while pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years)
• Grade Determinations and education requirements apply per VA qualification standards (details available in the online assessment)
• Preferred Experience:
  
  2-3 years of mental health experience
• Physical Requirements:
  
  visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity; ability to walk/stand for long periods; lifting and transferring patients or objects may be required
• Protective clothing in isolation, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings may be required
• May be exposed to combative patients in certain situations; must be mature, flexible, and able to work under stress
• Annual Employee Health requirements (e.g., TB screening) are required
• Off-site care in home settings may require driving

Note: All changes reflect standard VA qualification requirements and do not alter the original role expectations.

• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care
• Follow procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes
• Engage in unit/program level quality improvement and customer service initiatives
• Provide competent, evidence-based care as the Outpatient Mental Health RN
• Direct nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement activities
• Independently provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care for patients with mental health conditions
• Facilitate warm hand-offs, telemental health care, and nurse-led psycho educational groups
• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, recovery-oriented language, and educate Veterans, families, and significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans
• Coordinate care with Inpatient MH Units and participate in MH interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings; respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plans of care per facility policy
• Maintain professional boundaries and support a safe, respectful environment
• Foster professional development among healthcare professionals and support safe, high-quality nursing care
• Question clinical practices to ensure evidence-based care

Benefits and

Schedule:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package including competitive salary, paid time off, federal retirement, health/vision/dental/long-term care insurance, licensure allowances, and other benefits. Work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm. Telework:
Not Available. Virtual:
Not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment incentives:
Not Authorized. PCS:
Not Authorized.