Registered Nurse (Outpatient - Mental Health) - EDRP Authorized

Summary Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Qualifications 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. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by either 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 an 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 than 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). License/Registration: 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). 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. Preferred Experience: BSN degree (or higher). Mental Health experience. Critical Care experience. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification. Reference: Duties Outpatient mental health RN with primary care mental health integration is responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct patient care. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care based on age‑specific components. Coordinate care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care while influencing care outcomes by collaborating with interdisciplinary team members. Demonstrate leadership and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Typical duties include but are not limited to: serving as a collaborative care manager; providing patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care; facilitating care coordination and linking with inpatient mental health units; participating in interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings; facilitating nurse‑led psychoeducational groups; using therapeutic communication techniques and de‑escalation techniques; providing education regarding illness, medications, and treatment plan; reporting safety concerns; documenting nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement‑based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care. Maintain professional boundaries and act in the best interest of the patient. Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement; support colleagues and nurses through knowledge sharing; foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to professional development. Work with infectious patients and/or contaminated materials requiring prolonged use of personal protective equipment; work in varied work environments based on patient care and safety requirements; manage patients who may be combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or behavioral health conditions; work while exposed to loud noises, alarms, chaotic situations, or other distractions and stressors while maintaining professional bearing and composure. Work in modified work environments such as isolation precautions; screen potentially infectious patients; participate in labor pools. Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases and potential for performance awards. Paid time off: 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Retirement: Traditional federal pension with 5‑year vesting; federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory. Recruitment incentives: Not authorized for EDRP; former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io – EDRP Coordinator for questions or assistance. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Work Schedule: TBD (typically 7:30–16:00 CST, may include rotating tours with nights, weekends, and holidays). VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards. Other Information Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr