Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health
What you'd do
The Greater Los Angeles Health Care Systems is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse to serve in Outpatient Mental Health for the Caregiver Support Program specialty within Nursing, Mental Health Department. The Caregiver Support Program Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.
Major duties
Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides patient-centered, recovery-oriented mental health nursing care to Veterans across the outpatient continuum using evidence-based clinical practices. Conducts comprehensive nursing assessments, triage, suicide and violence risk screenings, measurement-based care, and develops individualized plans of care. Coordinates care with inpatient mental health units, interdisciplinary treatment teams, community providers, and caregivers to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care. Utilizes therapeutic communication, trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented language, and de-escalation techniques to promote Veteran safety and recovery. Leads and facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups, caregiver support groups, and educational programs for Veterans, families, and caregivers. Provides clinical education regarding mental health conditions, medications, treatment plans, self-management strategies, wellness promotion, and illness prevention. Delivers evidence-based caregiver support services through assessment, consultation, education, resource development, and stress/burden evaluation. Conducts in-home, telephone, and Clinical Video Telehealth assessments and follow-up visits for Veterans and caregivers, as appropriate. Collaborates with VA and community agencies to develop referral networks and connect Veterans and caregivers with federal, state, local, and community resources. Demonstrates advanced leadership in managing complex mental health and caregiver cases while serving as a clinical resource to interdisciplinary team members. Responds effectively to psychiatric, behavioral, and medical emergencies, directing team response and ensuring timely resolution of patient safety concerns. Documents nursing assessments, clinical interventions, care coordination activities, clinical reminders, and program outcomes in accordance with VA policies and accreditation standards. Participates in continuous quality improvement initiatives by evaluating clinical outcomes, monitoring program effectiveness, and implementing evidence-based practice changes. Maintains advanced knowledge of VA Caregiver Support Program services, eligibility requirements, benefits, and available community resources. Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of clinical policies, procedures, and program initiatives that improve Veteran and caregiver outcomes. Serves as an advocate for Veterans and caregivers by promoting holistic, patient-centered care and facilitating access to appropriate healthcare and support services. Provides mentorship, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing to nursing peers and interdisciplinary staff while fostering professional development and a culture of safety. Maintains productivity, documentation quality, and performance standards consistent with VA, Joint Commission, VISN, Nursing Service, and Caregiver Support Program requirements. Travels to Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Veterans' homes, and community locations to provide direct patient care, caregiver support, outreach, and case management; operates or rides in GSA vehicles as required. Demonstrates flexibility, professionalism, and accountability by participating in continuing education, program meetings, conference calls, data reporting, and performing additional duties within scope of practice to support organizational goals. 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, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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 [email protected] for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) Preferred Experience: Two years of specialized experience as a Registered Nurse in care coordination, case management, or community care. Bachelors of Science in Nursing Masters of Science in Nursing NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12995448. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.
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