Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Istss; Missouri; On-site; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Istss is seeking an Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse to provide competent, evidence-based care to patients with mental health conditions. This intermittent RN position requires strong nursing skills, patient education, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

The role includes tele-mental health support and psychoeducational group leadership. The incumbent will deliver patient-centered, recovery-oriented care and adhere to VA guidelines, with a focus on safety, care

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required by VA.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program with licensure in the United States.
• State licensure or eligibility to obtain licensure.
• Foreign education requires degree equivalency validation.
• Exemption options for bridge programs and temporary appointments.
• Comprehensive nursing knowledge across the nursing process and mental health care.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based care for patients with mental health conditions.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education and self-management.
• Lead or participate in care coordination with interdisciplinary team.
• Deliver recovery-oriented care and maintain professional boundaries.
• Facilitate warm hand-offs, tele-mental health, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Document nursing assessments, risk screens, and care plans per policy.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

ADN/ Diploma in Nursing (RN)

BSN with 1+ year experience

Master's in Nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Foreign nursing degree equivalency validation

Job description

Summary

The Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to patients and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The psychiatric Mental Health RN independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with Mental Health conditions. NOTE: This is an Intermittent RN position with varying hours.

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/13091173
• 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 clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: significant amounts of time standing - assisting assigned patients utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.

Duties

• NOTE: This is an Intermittent RN position with varying hours
• The Outpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to patients and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• 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 care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• 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
• Duties include but are not limited to: Independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• Facilitate warm hand-offs - tele-mental 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
• Manages the care of patients - while organizing and prioritizing patient care needs - and ensuring assigned tasks are completed
• 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
• Provides and directs others in Veteran/patient driven care that optimizes the patient's experience - satisfaction - and/or safety for a team of patients
• Reports and addresses safety concerns - document nursing triage assessments - risk screens - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care - according to facility policy
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Role models and displays ethical behavior
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Demonstrates knowledge over a wide range of job responsibilities - effectively communicating with individuals and groups to build a strong sense of teamwork and purpose
• Promotes collaborative behavior and team efforts
• Is confident of abilities - effectively initiates solutions and - is alert to new opportunities - techniques - and approaches
• Integrates individual preferences and goals into evidence-based decision-making
• Preferred Experience: Mental Health Experience VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: Not applicable *Retirement: Not applicable *Insurance: Not applicable Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• ** NOTE: Current benefit-eligible VA employees converting to intermittent status may be eligible to retain certain benefits *Work Schedule: Mon-Fri on an intermittent/as needed basis Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation /Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This position covers both the John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks outpatient mental health clinics.