Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse provides evidence-based, patient-centered care in an outpatient setting, applying the full nursing process and coordinating care across the interdisciplinary team. This intermittent position offers varied hours to support mental health services, including education, care coordination, and safety monitoring for Veterans with MH conditions.

Licensure requirements and English proficiency are specified in the basic qualifications for state licensure and

Qualifications

• English proficiency at required level for direct patient care.
• Nursing license in a US state with full, active status.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ADN/ Diploma or BSN).
• Ability to work in outpatient mental health settings and telehealth when applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care following the nursing process.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team and educate patients and families.
• Monitor safety and manage care for Veterans with mental health conditions.
• Support care transitions and ensure continuity across services.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and performance initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Patient care

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Registered Nurse license (US state)

Nursing degree (ADN/ Diploma or BSN)

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.