Registered Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health Nurse

Eligibility

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 and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount up to $200,000 and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

This open position is a Permanent Full-Time Registered Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program position for Patient Care Services within the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital - Columbia, Missouri.

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age‑specific components. Assumes responsibility for coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.

The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes their position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care, maintaining self‑awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions, and managing the milieu. The nurse facilitates shift reports, warm hand‑offs, and develops content as well as facilitates nurse‑led psycho educational groups. They use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de‑escalation techniques, and utilize recovery‑oriented language.

The nurse actively participates in the MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, directs team response to psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and assists in safety concern resolution. The nurse documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.

Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients. Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluates MH outcomes of evidence‑based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.

Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.

• 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 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• Work Schedule:  with every other weekend and holiday availability
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn
  15edrp the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Registered Nurse license, demonstrated experience in inpatient mental health and substance use disorder care, ability to shift during 1:30‑8:00 with alternate weekend and holiday availability, commitment to patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care, and proficiency in interdisciplinary teamwork.