Registered Nurse (Outpatient Mental Health)

Quick Facts

• Role: Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

Description

Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented outpatient mental health nursing care. Coordinate with inpatient mental health units for continuity of care, participate in interdisciplinary treatment team huddles, and facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups. Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques, educate Veterans and families on illness, medications, and treatment plans, and document triage assessments, risk screens, and care plans.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate continuity of care and warm hand-offs between outpatient and inpatient mental health services

• Lead or facilitate nurse-led psychoeducational groups and develop group content

• Use therapeutic communication, de-escalation, and recovery-oriented language; provide patient and family education

• Perform and document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and the patient plan of care

• Report, assist with, and/or direct resolution of safety concerns; direct team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies

• Demonstrate leadership in complex client care, including creative approaches to management

• Maintain professional boundaries, provide constructive feedback to peers, and share knowledge to support safe, quality nursing care

• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to professional development

Benefits

• Competitive salary with potential performance awards

• Regular salary increases

• Paid time off: 50 days/year (26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)

• Federal pension with 5 years vesting and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions

• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options

• Licensure requirement: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US state or territory

• Work schedule based on service needs; not a virtual position (ad-hoc telework may be authorized)

• EDRP authorized (eligibility required; application within four months of appointment; approval/amount determined after review)

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only when U.S. recruitment is not possible per VA policy)

• English proficiency in basic written and spoken communication

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) OR current full, active, unrestricted RN registration meeting VA requirements

• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN license

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation/exam

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant as of May 7, 2025)

• Seasonal influenza vaccination required

• Selective Service registration required for eligible males (born after 12/31/1959)

• In testing-designated positions, subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment

• May be required to serve a probationary period

• Meet physical requirements (including lifting at least 50 lbs; visual acuity, hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity; ability to stand/walk for long periods; possible exposure to infected/combative patients and contaminated materials)