Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Summary

This is an Intermittent - Not to exceed 12 Month Position. The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to patients and is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The psychiatric MH RN independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with Mental Health conditions.

• Basic Requirements:
• English Language Proficiency:
  In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) – a person shall serve in direct patient care positions only if proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency, accredited by ACEN or 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 seek registration as a nurse with a state licensing board before completing the bridge program.
• Upon obtaining 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 (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 appointment as a nurse who has completed an approved nursing program.
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than 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, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception:
  Candidates who meet basic education requirements but lack licensure may be appointed as a GNT on a 120‑day temporary appointment while pursuing licensure; may be extended up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis. (Grandfathering Provision – existing VHA employees in the 0610 series remain qualified under the effective date of the standard.)
• Grade Determinations:
  Scope, Education, and Dimension criteria must be met for grade assignment and level within a grade (details available at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/).
• Grade/Level Scope Education – Nurse I – Level I:
  Deliver fundamental, knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
• Grade/Level Scope Education – Nurse I – Level II:
  Demonstrate integration of biopsychosocial concepts and technical competence for clients with basic or complex needs.
• Grade/Level Scope Education – Nurse I – Level III:
  Demonstrate proficiency in practice based on conscious planning and self‑directed goal setting for complex client situations.
• Grade/Level Scope Education – Nurse II:
  Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration.
• Grade/Level Scope Education – Nurse III:
  Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  The position requires potentially long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials; occasional exposure to combative patients; requires a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations. Must comply with any Employee Health requirements.

• Provide competent, evidence‑based care to patients and ensure accountability for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Follow procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Participate actively in…