Registered Nurse -Outpatient Mental Health

The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) is Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.

The MH RN will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.

The MH RN independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions. They facilitate warm hand-offs, telemental health care, and nurse-led psycho educational groups; use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, utilize recovery-oriented language, and provide Veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plan.

The MH RN actively participates in care coordination, liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed.

The MH RN reports and addresses safety concerns, document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care, according to facility policy.

The MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care.

Dimensions of Nursing Practice:

Practice:

Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting. Effectively functions as a leader, with demonstrated outcomes, for the immediate practice setting.

Leadership:

Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others, to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting. Leads teams, contributes to team conferences, and actively collaborates in all phases of patient care planning. Successfully integrates objectives, opportunities, and resources. Considers alternative courses of action. Respects the opinions, abilities, and contributions of others.

Encourages individual growth and development. Effectively sets group goals and keeps self and team informed of the latest trends and developments. Inspires the cooperation and confidence of others. Demonstrates a high level of expertise.

Professional Development:

Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring, precepting, and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

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

Pay Scale: NG42

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 7:45 am.

-4:30 pm.

Telework:
Ad Hoc - may be available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):
Not authorized