Clarification from the agency

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive, patient-centered care to individuals experiencing acute psychiatric and behavioral health issues in a secure inpatient setting. This role involves assessing mental health needs, developing and implementing individualized care plans, administering medications, monitoring for behavioral and physical changes, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to promote patient stabilization and recovery.

The Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) plays a vital role in delivering safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health conditions. The RN conducts comprehensive physical and mental health assessments upon admission and continues to monitor patients throughout their stay, observing for changes in mental status, behavior, and physical condition. All assessments, interventions, and patient responses are documented accurately and in a timely manner. The nurse administers psychiatric and other prescribed medications, monitors for side effects and therapeutic effectiveness, and educates patients about their medications to ensure adherence to the treatment plan.

In crisis situations, the RN utilizes approved de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies in response to aggressive or self-harming behavior. When necessary, they implement PMDB or other facility-approved behavioral management protocols to maintain a safe environment. The nurse actively participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, contributes feedback, and helps develop individualized treatment plans based on patient goals, diagnoses, and progress. Effective communication with psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and other care team members is essential to coordinate care.

Using active listening, empathy, and therapeutic communication skills, the RN supports each patient's emotional and psychological needs while promoting autonomy and dignity. The nurse may also facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups as required. Maintaining a secure and therapeutic environment is a priority; this includes conducting safety rounds and room checks to prevent harm or contraband, and responding promptly to behavioral codes or emergencies within the unit.

The RN provides patient education on mental health diagnoses, medications, coping skills, and available community resources. They collaborate with the treatment team to support safe transitions of care upon discharge. Adherence to hospital policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements is expected at all times. The RN maintains accurate, complete, and confidential nursing records in the electronic health record (EHR) system and participates in ongoing education, mandatory training, and performance improvement initiatives. Maintaining current licensure and required certifications is essential. The nurse also assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and provides support for any additional care needs, especially in the veteran population.

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: 7:30am - 8:00pm; 6 x 12-hour shifts, 1 x 8-hour shift, rotating weekends & holidays.
Compressed/Flexible: Compressed
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: 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.

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Must have a full, active, current and unrestricted licensure.
• 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.

Qualifications

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.)

• Experience in inpatient mental health or psychiatric nursing, including care of high-acuity patients
• Ability to manage behavioral escalation using therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques
• Familiarity with safety protocols, seclusion/restraint procedures, and electronic health record documentation.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps