Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off: 50 days/year

Federal health/vision/dental/life/ LTC

Traditional pension with 401K

Competitive salary

Job summary

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking an Inpatient Registered Nurse to join the Mental Health Service in Albuquerque. The role focuses on patient-centered, recovery-oriented care for veterans with mental health needs.

Experience in inpatient settings and strong communication are valued. Applicants must hold an RN license in the United States (or eligibility), graduate from an ACEN/CCNE-accredited program, and meet licensure requirements for NM.

Qualifications

• Active RN license in the United States or eligibility for licensure in New Mexico
• Graduation from an ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program
• State licensure to practice nursing upon appointment
• Completion of approved nursing program with required education
• Foreign education consideration requires official evaluation if applicable
• Current valid nursing license in a US state or territory
• GNT exception allows temporary appointment while pursuing licensure

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care in the inpatient MH setting
• Lead shift reports and warm hand-offs with the team
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary MH team to deliver care and ensure safety
• Document assessments, plans of care, and safety rounds per policy
• Support professional development and foster a safe learning environment
• Evaluate MH outcomes and participate in evidence-based practice improvements

Skills

Inpatient nursing

Mental health care

Communication skills

Nursing assessment

Education

RN license/registration

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Job description

Summary

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is looking for a Inpatient Registered Nurse for our Mental Health Service!

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Preferred Experience: - 1-2 years of clinical nursing experience preferred - 1-2 years of experience working with behavioral health patients preferred Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104609
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking and standing up to 8 hours
• repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• hearing aid permitted.

Duties

• The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes their position duties to improve patient and organizational outcomes by providing patient-centered and recovery oriented care - maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions - and managing the milieu
• The nurse facilitates shift reports - warm hand-offs - and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• They use therapeutic communication techniques - practice de-escalation techniques - and utilize recovery-oriented language
• The nurse actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team - MH Environment of Care rounds - directs team response to psychiatric emergencies - reports safety concerns - and assists in safety concern resolution
• The nurse documents nursing assessments - nursing plan of care - patient safety observations - and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for MH patients
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• Evaluates MH outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented MH outcomes at the program or service level
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized