Registered Nurse- Inpatient Mental Health

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Join the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System as an Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse and provide compassionate, recovery-oriented care to Veterans. Lead therapeutic care, respond to psychiatric emergencies, support suicide prevention, facilitate psychoeducational groups, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to create a safe, healing environment that promotes recovery and well-being. Responsibilities Make a difference in the lives of Veterans as an Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. In this dynamic behavioral health setting, you will help create a therapeutic, recovery-focused environment where Veterans receive compassionate care during times of significant need. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary mental health team, contribute your nursing expertise to individualized treatment planning, and take an active role in promoting safety, stability, and recovery. This position offers opportunities to strengthen specialized mental health nursing skills, lead during psychiatric emergencies, support colleagues through knowledge sharing, and contribute to evidence-based practices and quality improvement that enhance Veteran care. Duties include, but are not limited to: Lead the delivery of patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care and therapeutic milieu management within the inpatient mental health setting. Assess Veterans' mental health needs and develop, implement, document, and evaluate individualized treatment plans centered on Veteran goals and recovery. Facilitate psychoeducational groups and use therapeutic communication and recovery-oriented approaches to support Veterans throughout treatment. Lead nursing responses during psychiatric emergencies, using de-escalation techniques and coordinating appropriate interventions to promote safety. Advance suicide prevention efforts by recognizing risk, completing required safety observations, identifying concerns, and supporting timely interventions. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary mental health treatment team to coordinate care, contribute nursing expertise, and incorporate Veteran and family perspectives into treatment decisions. Promote a safe therapeutic environment by participating in mental health Environment of Care rounds, addressing safety concerns, and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Strengthen mental health nursing practice through evidence-based care, quality improvement activities, clinical practice evaluation, and knowledge sharing with colleagues. 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: 12-Hour Day Shift: 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. 8-Hour Day Shifts: 7:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. 11:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Tour of Duty: Employees are scheduled for 80 hours per pay period, consisting of: Six (6) 12-hour shifts One (1) 8-hour shift Employees work rotating weekends and Federal holidays. Employees may be assigned to provide overnight coverage. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. 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 complete review of the EDRP application. The EDRP Coordinator(s) can be reached at View email address on click.appcast.io@va.gov Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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: 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: Mental health nursing experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Education Additional Information As a VA employee, you will enjoy a truly rewarding career, comprehensive benefits, competitive pay and other generous perks to help build a fuller, more balanced life for you and your family. Strong starting salary, career growth, and recognition VA Nurse Locality Pay System (LPS) - ensuring our nurses are paid competitive rates within each local labor market VA Special Rates - providing regular performance-based increases and potential accelerated increases for outstanding performance Premium Pay - including overtime, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, on-call and night work Incentive Awards - including Superior Performance Awards, Special Contribution Awards, VA Honor Awards, and Non-Monetary Recognition. 8 hours of annual leave (Vacation Time) accrual for full-time Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists for each full biweekly pay period. (The highest leave accrual of any VA employee!) 4 hours of Sick leave accrual per full biweekly pay period. 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave Organ Donor Leave Military Leave Disabled Veteran Leave Health Insurance - pre-taxed premiums and a variety of plans to choose from, ranging from traditional HMO/PPO plans with low co-pays, to High- Deductible plans. Single, spouse and family plans available. Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) -Tax deferred retirement savings account that is similar to private sector 401(k). You may be eligible for an automatic 1% agency contribution, plus a 4% matching agency contribution. Flexible Spending Accounts - medical & dependent care Life Insurance - with available additions for family coverage Long Term Care Insurance Leave Sharing Program Holidays - 11 paid Federal holidays each year Child Care Subsidies Employee Assistance Program Wellness and Physical Fitness Programs Transit Subsidies Continuing Education Opportunities This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.