Registered Nurse- (Outpatient Mental Health) Methadone Treatment Program OTP

Pennsylvania Psychological Association; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Federal retirement benefits

Health insurance

Job summary

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is seeking a Registered Nurse for Outpatient Mental Health. The role focuses on comprehensive nursing care, education, and coordination across the care continuum for Veterans with mental health conditions.

Responsibilities include patient assessment, education, self-management support, and collaboration with the psychiatry and primary care teams to ensure safe, effective care. VA benefits and a structured schedule are available.

Qualifications

• RN must possess current active RN license in the United States
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by accrediting bodies (ACEN/CCNE)
• Foreign-educated nurses must have degree equivalency validation if applicable
• American licensure required for appointment
• Preferred: two years of psychiatric or substance use disorder treatment experience

Responsibilities

• Deliver and supervise nursing care to outpatients with mental health needs
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team and programs
• Educate patients on self-management, safety, and treatment plans
• Document triage assessments, risk screens, and care plans per facility policy
• Assist in de-escalation and recovery-oriented care approaches
• Support safety and crisis management as part of the care team

Skills

English proficiency

RN licensure

Nursing education

Foreign education equivalency

Patient care

Education

Nursing degree

ACEN/CCNE accreditation

Job description

Summary

The Cincinnati VAMC is seeking a Registered Nurse- Outpatient Mental Health who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

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/13091125
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Two years of psychiatric or substance use disorder treatment experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of 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 This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses for potentially long periods of time
• This may include walking - standing - stooping - bending - sitting - reaching - pushing - and pulling
• It may include moderate lifting/carrying - not greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines
• Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting and seek assistance or use mechanical lifts for weights greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling Guidelines
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties - distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties - and the use of hearing aids is permitted.

Duties

• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes
• Provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintaining self-awareness while caring for patients living with mental health conditions
• Facilitates care coordination - linking with the Inpatient Mental Health Units to facilitate continuity of care - Mental Health interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings - warm hand-offs - and develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Uses therapeutic communication techniques - practices de-escalation techniques - utilizes recovery-oriented language - and provides Veterans - their family members - and/or significant others with education regarding their illness - medications - and treatment plan
• Reports and assists and/or directs safety concern resolution and collaborates with program leadership to help improve patient and program outcomes
• and directs team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies
• Documents nursing triage assessments - risk screens - measurement-based care tools - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care according to facility policy
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• 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: 5:45 am to 2:15 pm Monday through Friday - Occasional Saturdays 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized