Nurse - Community Residential Care Mental Health Registered Nurse

Summary

The Community Residential Care (CRC) Mental Health Registered Nurse is responsible for providing competent evidence‑based care to assigned patients. The CRC RN will assist in directing the provision of nursing education – orientation – competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.

• English Language Proficiency (in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English).
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency (ACEN or CCNE).
• OR individuals attending a master’s level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Nursing may become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.
• Upon completion of a state license, the individual may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful graduation from the bridge program (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6).
• OR 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 appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry‑level Nursing education program.
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an 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 U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) or District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception:
  Candidates who meet the basic education requirements but do not possess the required licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the grade 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 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 (link to online assessment:  Questionnaire/).
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/.
• Physical requirements – this clinical position requires significant physicality associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses for potentially long periods of time, including walking, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, moderate lifting ≤35 pounds, adequate vision, hearing, and ability to operate a government‑owned or leased motor vehicle following government policy.

• Provide patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care to patients living with mental health conditions.
• Facilitate warm hand‑offs, telemental healthcare, and nurse‑led psycho‑educational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de‑escalation techniques, and utilize recovery‑oriented language to educate Veterans, family members, and/or significant others regarding illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Participate actively in care coordination, liaison with inpatient mental health units, and interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings.
• Report and address safety concerns, document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care according to facility policy.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care.
• Provide…