Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

Duties and responsibilities of the Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse include, but are not limited to:

• The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric MH nursing practice.
• The nurse gains awareness of the principles and goals of inpatient MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with MH conditions.
• The nurse attends and observes nurse-led psychoeducational groups, uses therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques, and utilizes recovery-oriented language.
• Participates in shift report and warm hand-off, MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, and responds to psychiatric emergencies as directed.
• They identify safety concerns and hazardous items to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment of care, and documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds in accordance with facility policy.
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Seeks guidance on how to improve MH care provided to patients and families.
• The nurse brings MH principles and theory with application of critical thinking skills.
• The RN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care with consideration of cultural characteristics, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values and previous experiences.
• The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
• Has oversight of licensed practical nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting.
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the MH interdisciplinary team.
• Shares MH educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based MH practice culture.
• The RN utilizes best practice in the assessment and management of Veterans at risk for suicide; adheres to best practice when administering medication per established policies and guidelines; and evaluates psychosocial functioning.
• The RN acknowledges the Veteran's whole health by assessing what matters most to the Veteran and recommending complementary and integrative treatments.
• They maintain education in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB), per the Workplace Behavior Risk Assessment (WBRA) and ensures documentation compliance in support of accreditation standards.
• The nurse reports to the assigned Nurse Manager and works collaboratively within the team.
• Responsible for participating within unit based and/or organizational level Shared Governance councils, utilizing clinical expertise, evidence-based practice, and knowledge to assist with finding solutions to problems or issues to improve the quality care provided to our veterans.

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: 7:30am - 8:00pm rotating holidays/weekends

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized

EDRP Authorized: This 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 are ineligible to apply.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized