Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health

<p>The VA New Mexico Healthcare System is seeking an Outpatient Registered Nurse to serve within our Nursing, Mental Health Department. They are responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of age-specific care. Coordinates patient education and self-management, administers medications and procedures, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, and demonstrates leadership in managing complex patient care.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Major Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented nursing care to Veterans with a variety of mental health conditions in an outpatient setting. Conducts comprehensive nursing assessments, triage evaluations, risk screenings, and develops individualized plans of care using evidence-based practices. Coordinates care across the continuum by collaborating with inpatient mental health units, primary care, specialty services, and interdisciplinary treatment teams. Facilitates seamless transitions of care through warm handoffs and effective communication with internal and external healthcare providers. Leads and facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups focused on recovery, symptom management, wellness, and self-management strategies. Utilizes therapeutic communication, trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented language, and de-escalation techniques to promote patient safety and engagement. Educates Veterans, families, and caregivers regarding mental health conditions, medications, treatment plans, and available community and VA resources. Responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies by initiating appropriate interventions and coordinating team responses to ensure patient safety. Documents nursing assessments, clinical reminders, measurement-based care tools, risk assessments, and treatment plans in accordance with VA and facility policies. Collaborates with program leadership and interdisciplinary teams to identify safety concerns, improve clinical processes, and enhance patient and program outcomes. Serves as a clinical resource and mentor by providing constructive feedback, sharing knowledge, and supporting the professional growth of nursing colleagues. Demonstrates leadership, sound clinical judgment, and accountability while maintaining professional boundaries and delivering high-quality, evidence-based mental health nursing care. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years Mental Health Experience 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. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. 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. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</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 medical 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.