Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

Summary MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. Must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Full information listed under Duties. Summary MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. Must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Full information listed under Duties. 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 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: 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 Physical Requirements: There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019 - updated on 4/17/2026 Duties Duties include but are not limited to: 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 Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex client care Providing care coordination Providing evidenced based assessments Providing triage mental health status and medication concerns Administering medication and/or treatments Using de-escalation techniques - suicide prevention measures - safety planning - health and wellness promotion - and intervention services for patients enrolled in the Mental Health programs Adhering to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication and treatments Observing patients for adverse effects from medication and/or treatment and reporting appropriately Providing holistic care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team - patient populations include Veterans who present with the full range of DSM-V mental disorders - including mood disorders - anxiety disorders - psychotic disorders and substance use disorders Patients may present with co-morbid medical conditions - functional decline and unstable living conditions Attending and participating in Mental Health interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings Practicing de-escalation techniques - utilizing recovery-oriented language - and providing Veterans - their family members - and/or significant others with education regarding their illness - medications - and treatment plan Liaising with Inpatient Mental Health Units to facilitate continuity of care - and responding to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed Documenting nursing triage assessments - risk screens - clinical reminders - and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy Maintaining professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient 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: Monday-Friday - 7:30 am- 4:00 pm 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 Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment Program approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) - and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application Contact View email address on click.appcast.io - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr