Registered Nurse- Mental Health Outpatient-Post Discharge Engagement

Istss; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Job summary

Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Registered Nurse to support Veterans across the continuum of care. The role emphasizes nursing leadership, patient education, and collaboration with inpatient and outpatient teams.

Eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) with opportunities for telehealth and care coordination initiatives. Requires active RN license, English proficiency, and completion of an approved nursing program.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency is required.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (ACEN/CCNE).
• Current, full, active RN license in the United States and state licensure.
• Bridging program participation and temporary appointment options may apply.
• Proper licensure/registration verification per VA standards.
• Foreign nursing education requires degree equivalency validation when applicable.
• Nurse licensure and professional education requirements per VA Handbook standards.
• Duties include coordination of care and patient education.

Responsibilities

• PDE Nurses support Veteran care coordination from admission through discharge.
• Ensure seamless transitions of care and strengthen communication between teams.
• Provide evidence-based nursing care to patients in outpatient or inpatient settings.
• Lead nursing education, orientation, and quality improvement activities.
• Assist in telehealth and group education sessions as needed.

Skills

Nursing

Mental Health Nursing

English Proficiency

RN Licensure

Education

ADN or Nursing Diploma

BSN (preferred)

State Nursing License

Tools

EHR Systems

VA Systems

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply

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
• 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/13098625
• 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: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting
• There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: PDE Nurses supporting Veteran care coordination from admission through discharge
• The goal is to ensure a seamless transition of care - support interdisciplinary collaboration - and strengthen communication between inpatient and outpatient teams
• The RN will demonstrate proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to patients
• They will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and enhance outcomes utilization
• The psychiatric MH RN independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• They facilitate warm hand-offs - telemental health care - and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• use therapeutic communication techniques - practice de-escalation techniques - utilize recovery-oriented language - and provide Veterans - their family members - and/or significant others with education regarding their illness - medications - and treatment plan
• The MH RN actively participates in care coordination - liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care - MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed
• The MH RN reports and addresses safety concerns - document nursing triage assessments - risk screens - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care - according to facility policy
• The MH RN maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• The MH RN demonstrates competence in practice and decision-making - deliberate planning - and critical thinking skills
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years recent Nursing Experience 3-5 years of Mental Health Nursing Experience Demonstrated ability to work effectively with patients - families and other members of the interdisciplinary team in an outpatient setting
• Demonstrated skills in decision-making - sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking abilities Preferred Certification Psychiatric-mental health nursing (PMH-BC)
• 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: Full-Time
• 0630-1600
• May vary to meet dept/facility needs
• Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized