Registered Nurse (Outpatient Mental Health)

Quick Facts

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 0730–1600 (compressed schedule may be available)
• Telework: situational (ad-hoc) telework authorized; not remote
• Virtual: not a virtual position
• EDRP: authorized (student loan repayment). Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Description

Registered Nurse (Outpatient Mental Health) serving as the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) RN. Responsible for the nursing process in direct and/or supervised care, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation based on age-specific needs. Coordinates care across the continuum, administers long-acting injectable medications, uses validated screening tools, and provides education and psychosocial support for Veterans.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care using the nursing process (assess, plan, implement, evaluate)
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction across outpatient mental health
• Obtain and document health histories (lifestyle, pain, sleep/activity, support systems, cultural/social/ethnic factors, treatment preferences and goals)
• Administer long-acting injectable medications, including antipsychotics and opiate antagonists
• Administer screening tools including PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL, MOCA, Suicide Risk Assessment, and AUDIT-C
• Monitor adherence, medication side effects, symptom worsening, impairment, and therapeutic response; coordinate appropriate follow-up
• Assess patients and provide support between visits with licensed independent providers (LIPs)
• Refer to, consult with, and coordinate care with other VA providers; liaison for continuity of care in community settings
• Provide education for Veterans and families regarding illness, medications, and treatment plans
• Facilitate psycho-educational and support groups and participate in team/mental health meetings
• Serve as preceptor for nursing students, new hires, and Peer Support Specialists; provide coverage as needed for other staff

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards
• Paid time off: 50 days per year (26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions
• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options