Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Job Title

Job Description

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented mental health nursing care to veterans across the outpatient continuum using evidence-based clinical practices.
• Conducts comprehensive nursing assessments, triage, suicide and violence risk screenings, measurement-based care, and develops individualized plans of care.
• Coordinates care with inpatient mental health units, interdisciplinary treatment teams, community providers, and caregivers to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care.
• Utilizes therapeutic communication, trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented language, and de-escalation techniques to promote veteran safety and recovery.
• Leads and facilitates nurse-led psycho educational groups, caregiver support groups, and educational programs for veterans, families, and caregivers.
• Provides clinical education regarding mental health conditions, medications, treatment plans, self-management strategies, wellness promotion, and illness prevention.
• Delivers evidence-based caregiver support services through assessment, consultation, education, resource development, and stress/burden evaluation.
• Conducts in-home, telephone, and clinical video telehealth assessments and follow-up visits for veterans and caregivers, as appropriate.
• Collaborates with VA and community agencies to develop referral networks and connect veterans and caregivers with federal, state, local, and community resources.
• Demonstrates advanced leadership in managing complex mental health and caregiver cases while serving as a clinical resource to interdisciplinary team members.
• Responds effectively to psychiatric, behavioral, and medical emergencies, directing team response and ensuring timely resolution of patient safety concerns.
• Documents nursing assessments, clinical interventions, care coordination activities, clinical reminders, and program outcomes in accordance with VA policies and accreditation standards.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement initiatives by evaluating clinical outcomes, monitoring program effectiveness, and implementing evidence-based practice changes.
• Maintains advanced knowledge of VA Caregiver Support Program services, eligibility requirements, benefits, and available community resources.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of clinical policies, procedures, and program initiatives that improve veteran and caregiver outcomes.
• Serves as an advocate for veterans and caregivers by promoting holistic, patient-centered care and facilitating access to appropriate healthcare and support services.
• Provides mentorship, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing to nursing peers and interdisciplinary staff while fostering professional development and a culture of safety.
• Maintains productivity, documentation quality, and performance standards consistent with VA, Joint Commission, VISN, Nursing Service, and Caregiver Support Program requirements.
• Travels to community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), veterans' homes, and community locations to provide direct patient care, caregiver support, outreach, and case management; operates or rides in GSA vehicles as required.
• Demonstrates flexibility, professionalism, and accountability by participating in continuing education, program meetings, conference calls, data reporting, and performing additional duties within scope of practice to support organizational goals.

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

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework:
Not Available

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment

Incentives:

Not Authorized

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized:
This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

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Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
Not Authorized