Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Delivers fundamental knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on agency‑specific components. 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.

• 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.

• 2 - 3 years Mental Health experience
• BSN or higher
• Experience with care coordination, case management, and following Veterans across the continuum of care and have de‑escalation techniques and crisis intervention
• National certification in mental health nursing

• Reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching
• Assisting patients and moving equipment, repeated bending, pushing, and/or pulling.
• Significant amounts of time standing while assisting assigned patients.
• Utilization of safe patient handing and mobility protocols.
• Visual acuity and keen hearing
• Manual dexterity
• Possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to do personal protective clothing in isolation situations.
• Operative/invasive procedures
• Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or mental health disorders.
• Employee must complete employee health requirements as directed.

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/.