Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health Staff

<p>At the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Rapid City, South Dakota, our outpatient mental health nurses play a vital role in supporting Veterans on their path to stability, recovery, and improved well-being. In this role, you will deliver compassionate, knowledge-based care while developing your clinical skills, building therapeutic relationships, and helping Veterans and their families navigate treatment with dignity and confidence.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>As an outpatient mental health nurse, you will provide assessment, education, crisis support, and coordinated care that empowers Veterans to manage their health and thrive in their communities. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team, you will help guide Veterans through their treatment plans, support their goals, and contribute to meaningful outcomes in a supportive, mission-driven environment. Major Duties include, but are not limited to: - Assesses patients using appropriate mental health assessment tools. - Provides crisis management, including crisis phone support and response to psychiatric and medical emergencies. - Completes clinical reminders and psychosocial assessments as needed. - Educates Veterans and families about illness, medications, and treatment plans. - Conducts outreach to support treatment adherence and identify potential relapse. - Coordinates with community agencies to connect Veterans with needed services. - Refers to, consults with, and coordinates care with other Veterans Affairs (VA) providers. - Assesses patients and offers additional support between mental health visits. - Facilitates psycho-educational and support groups. - Participates as a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP). 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 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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 examination. 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.