Registered Nurse-Outpatient Behavioral Health-Education Debt Reduction Program Approved

Outpatient Behavioral Health Registered Nurse

The Outpatient Behavioral Health (BH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve Veteran and organizational outcomes. The psychiatric BH RN executes their position duties by providing patient-centered, recovery-oriented principles, telemental health, community-based care, and self-awareness when caring for Veterans living with BH conditions. The BH RN actively engages in interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, de-escalation practices, recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans, their families, and significant others on illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.

The BH RN assists and/or directs safety concern resolution and collaborates with program leadership to help improve Veteran and program outcomes, liaising with Inpatient BH Units, develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psycho educational groups, and directs teams response to psychiatric and medical emergencies. The BH RN documents assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and Veteran care plans following facility policy, maintaining professional boundaries and acting in the Veteran's best interest.

The registered nurse (RN) assigned to the outpatient Behavioral Health team collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams in the delivery and coordination of comprehensive care to Veterans receiving outpatient behavioral health services. The RN may work in, be assigned to, or provide cross-coverage for any Behavioral Health Service (BHS) program, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), or facility under the El Paso VA Health Care System based on patient care needs and operational requirements.

Assignments may include, but are not limited to, the Behavioral Health Access Team (BHAT), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Somatic Treatments (i.e Esketamine, etc.), Hospital Liaison, Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR), Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH). The RN must maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license and possess the ability to safely operate a Government Services Administration (GSA) vehicle.

Driving responsibilities may include travel between CBOCs & Main VA Facility within the El Paso VA Health Care System, community-based and home visits, outreach activities, and minimal transportation of Veterans when necessary and consistent with VA policy and operational requirements. This requirement supports the RN's responsibility to provide coverage and services across BHS programs, community settings, CBOCs, and other facilities that fall under the El Paso VA Health Care System.

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) provides a comprehensive range of services, including walk-in/same-day access, crisis assessment and management, group programming, evidence-based treatments, tele-mental health services, medication management, case management/Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) services, counseling for couples and families, psychological assessment, outreach, and other behavioral health services. The responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (BH RN) include, but are not limited to, conducting risk assessments, triage, and clinical nursing services for Veterans seeking or receiving behavioral health care.

The BH RN addresses Secure Messaging (SM), Message Managers (MM), and other Veteran care requests within established facility policy and standards for timeliness, responding directly within the RN's scope of practice and appropriately routing, reassigning, or escalating requests to the appropriate team, provider, or service when indicated. The RN reviews diagnostic and laboratory results, discusses abnormal findings with the referring or responsible provider, and communicates normal results to Veterans and/or caregivers, as appropriate.