Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Quick Facts

• Role: Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)
• Focus: Patient-centered, recovery-oriented mental health care and care coordination
• Programs: EDRP eligible (education debt reduction)

Description

The Outpatient Mental Health RN provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented care for Veterans living with mental health conditions. The role coordinates continuity of care with inpatient mental health units and interdisciplinary teams, facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups, and supports safety and emergency response. The RN performs nursing triage, risk screening, and measurement-based documentation, and educates Veterans and families on illness, medications, and treatment plans.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate care with inpatient mental health units and interdisciplinary treatment team huddles/meetings
• Facilitate warm hand-offs and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Use therapeutic communication techniques and recovery-oriented language; practice de-escalation
• Provide education about illness, medications, and treatment plan to Veterans and their families/significant others
• Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and plan of care per facility policy
• Report, assist, and/or direct safety concern resolution; collaborate with leadership to improve outcomes
• Direct team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies
• Maintain professional boundaries and provide constructive feedback to peers
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing and foster a safe, supportive environment for professional development

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens only when permitted by VA policy
• English proficiency for direct patient care (written and spoken)
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) or approved equivalent pathway
• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN license (or GNT temporary appointment while pursuing licensure)
• Pass pre-employment physical examination
• Background/security investigation
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Urinalysis for certain testing-designated positions; selective service registration (as applicable); complete onboarding and required documents (REAL ID compliant ID requirements effective May 7, 2025)

Benefits

• EDRP: Student loan payment reimbursement program (apply within 4 months; approval/award up to $200,000; eligibility period 1–5 years)
• Compensation: Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards
• Time off: 50 days per year (annual leave, sick leave, and 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
• Work schedule: Based on service needs; ad-hoc telework possible; not virtual
• Relocation/Recruitment incentives: Not authorized