Registered Nurse-Outpatient Mental Health

Summary

Robley Rex VA Healthcare System
- Louisville
- Kentucky is currently recruiting for a Registered Nurse-Outpatient Mental Health Louisville
- Kentucky 603.

• 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 and accredited by 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 the 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.
• 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 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 state, territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) 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).
• Grade determinations – the following scope‑education and dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates and, if appropriate, the level within a grade.
• Preferred experience:
  
  2 years in outpatient mental health/inpatient mental health or substance abuse rehab; previous experience in VHA preferred; BSN/MSN preferred.
• Physical requirements:
  
  All selected applicants and employed personnel are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position.
• A pre‑placement physical examination is required for all full‑time, part‑time, and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019; this examination assesses mental and physical fitness and includes required laboratory and other screening.
• Required visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Position requires potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; ability to lift at least 50 lbs; transferring patients and objects may be required.
• Exposure to infected patients or contaminated materials may occur; protective clothing may be required. Exposure to combative patients secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders may also occur.
• Must be mature, flexible, sensible, capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on organizational needs.
• Must complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual influenza vaccination and TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

• The outpatient mental health registered nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes.
• The psychiatric RN provides patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care, maintains self‑awareness while caring for patients living with mental health conditions.
• The RN facilitates care coordination—linking with inpatient mental health units to facilitate continuity of care,…