Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Quick Facts

• Role: Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm

Description

Provide evidence-based, patient-centered and recovery-oriented mental health nursing care in an outpatient setting. You will facilitate telemental health, warm hand-offs, nurse-led psychoeducational groups, and deliver education to Veterans and their families regarding illness, medications, and treatment plans. You will also coordinate with inpatient mental health units, document triage/risk assessments and plans of care, and respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients

• Support nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement/outcomes utilization consultation

• Deliver recovery-oriented care and maintain self-awareness while caring for patients with mental health conditions

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

• Facilitate warm hand-offs, telemental health, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups

• Coordinate with inpatient mental health units and participate in interdisciplinary treatment team huddles/meetings

• Report and address safety concerns; complete nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and document patient plans of care per policy

• Maintain professional boundaries and protect patient vulnerabilities

• Foster a safe, supportive environment for healthcare professional development

• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing to ensure safe, quality nursing care

• Question and improve clinical practices to provide evidence-based care

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• English proficiency in written and spoken communication

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (or meet VA equivalency/education requirements)

• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN licensure (or qualify for Graduate Nurse Technician temporary appointment while pursuing licensure)

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation/exam

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and all required pre-employment steps (including ID verification)

• Comply with drug screening/urinalysis testing

• Selective Service registration (for eligible males)

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

Preferred

• 1–3 years of mental health experience