RN Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health (BHIP)

<p>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 ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The Hampton VA Medical Center's Community Based Outpatient Clinic located at the Western Branch location in Chesapeake, VA is currently looking a Outpatient Mental Health BHIP (RN) to join our Team. The Outpatient Mental Health BHIP RN directly reports to the Nurse Manager or designee of the Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic. He/She demonstrates competency in providing care for Veterans presenting behavioral health disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance dependence, and related medical conditions. The incumbent will work independently providing patient- centered and recovery oriented care to our Veterans. Duties include but not limited to: Responsible for administering medications at the direction of ordering provider. Mental Health RN attends and participates in Mental Health interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques, utilizes recovery-oriented language, and provides Veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plan. Participates in warm hand-off, care coordination, liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. Documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy. Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Reports and addresses safety concerns, document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care, according to facility policy. Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care. Reviews Veterans to be seen by providers for the day/week to identify high risk patients, if there are follow up appointments needed with other providers, status of pending consults for BH Services, etc Track and follow up with Veterans with High Risk (Behavioral and Suicide) Flags and those identified for Reach Vet (in collaboration with Suicide Prevention) Complete suicide screens and safety plans as appropriate Provide outreach to High-Risk Veterans who no-show, did not schedule follow up appointments as indicated Work with Specialty Clinics (HUD/VASH, CWT, PRRC, PTSD Clinic, STAR) to assist with establishing Veterans in needed care. Provide walk in clinic coverage Provide Veteran outreach to provide support as needed, obtain additional information for treatment (i.e., medication side effects, therapy/treatment goals, etc.) and report back to treatment providers. ID Veterans who are utilizing emergency services frequently and provide outreach and help connect them to the appropriate level of care/get in contact with regular provider, such as CCICM referrals. Be the front-line responder for MHV messages and phone calls from Veterans for triage and address issue if needed/within scope (i.e., getting re-connected with services, needing to reschedule appointments, sending request to provider for medication refills, etc.) if outside of scope, refer to appropriate team member. Track clinical reminders, complete reminders that are within their scope, and inform providers of alerts/reminders that need completed. Place consults as appropriate/within scope. Follow up on progress of community care referrals. 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: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday 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 Veronica.Richardson3@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator 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 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.