Registered Nurse (Inpatient Mental Health)

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 (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse provides and leads the provision of competent, evidence-based care, independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care, milieu management, and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups. Use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language. Participate in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, assumes team lead for psychiatric emergencies Report and assist in resolving safety concerns, and document nursing assessments, nursing care of plans, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. Provide peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement. Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care interdisciplinary team. Support colleagues through MH knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Share MH educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. NOTE: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. 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: Night Shift, 2330-0800. Possibility of 12 hour shifts as available per unit procedures. Alternating weekends and holidays. 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 vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.