Registered Nurse (Outpatient Mental Health)

Quick Facts

• Role: Registered Nurse (Outpatient Mental Health)

• Program: Outpatient Mental Health Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 0800–1630

Description

Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care for Veterans and their families within an outpatient mental health interdisciplinary program. Responsible for the full nursing process—assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating care—while coordinating education, self-management, and continuity across the care continuum. Facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups, use therapeutic communication and de-escalation, and respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Execute and supervise direct patient care using the nursing process

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using age-specific components

• Coordinate care focused on education, self-management, and patient satisfaction

• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to improve outcomes

• Coordinate continuity of care with inpatient mental health units (huddles, meetings, warm hand-offs)

• Facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups and develop related content

• Use therapeutic communication, recovery-oriented language, and de-escalation techniques

• Provide education on illness, medications, and the treatment plan to Veterans and families/significant others

• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and plans of care per policy

• Address safety concerns and direct/assist team response to psychiatric/medical emergencies

• Maintain professional boundaries and protect patient vulnerabilities

• Provide feedback to peers and support knowledge-sharing for safe, quality care

• Foster a safe and supportive environment for professional development

Benefits

• Competitive salary with potential performance awards

• Paid time off: 50 days/year (annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays)

• Retirement: federal pension and 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions

• Insurance: health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care options

• Licensure: 1 full, unrestricted license from any U.S. state/territory

Qualifications

• English proficiency (basic written and spoken English)

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (ACEN or CCNE), or equivalent licensure/education pathway described in the posting

• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. state/territory/DC (or Graduate Nurse Technician exception while pursuing licensure)

Preferred Experience

• Mental health experience

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform nursing-level direct patient care tasks (standing/walking/sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending or kneeling)