Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Quick Facts

• Role: Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

• Work focus: Mental Health Unit inpatient nursing care (night shift)

Description

Provide inpatient care on a mental health unit with responsibility for the full nursing process—assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation—through patient admission and transition/discharge. Perform required screenings, clinical reminders, and risk assessments; administer medications and procedures per policy; and support patient/family education and self-management. Coordinate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, participate in unit/program quality improvement, and support clinical safety activities such as Code Green/Blue/Red.

Responsibilities

• Serve as team member, care coordinator, team leader, or unit charge nurse as assigned

• Conduct nursing admission assessments and initiate mental health treatment plans

• Complete required screenings, clinical reminders, and risk assessments; initiate appropriate interventions

• Coordinate care focused on transitions through the continuum of care

• Provide patient and family education and support self-management prior to and after discharge

• Apply individualized care considering age, health status, culture, values, and prior experiences

• Use therapeutic interventions and effective interpersonal communication

• Administer medications and procedures per established policies

• Collaborate to influence care outcomes with the interdisciplinary team

• Participate in performance improvement and customer service programs

• Conduct data collection, chart audits, and remedial actions as directed

• Participate in Code Green/Code Blue/Code Red Team activities

• Complete required clinical reminder tasks (including suicide risk screening/safety plan items) as they become due

• Maintain Pro-ACT certification (Acute & Intensive MH programs) and maintain PMDB level as defined by leadership

• Provide cross-coverage within assigned programs in the unit

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or eligibility per VA policy

• English proficiency for direct patient care

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) or equivalent qualification path

• Current full active unrestricted RN licensure

• Meet VA employment conditions: selective service (if applicable), background/security investigation, pre-employment physical, onboarding documentation, and seasonal influenza vaccination

Benefits

• Competitive salary with potential performance awards

• Paid time off (annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)

• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution

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