Registered Nurse Outpatient Mental Health
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Detroit, MI, United States
Summary
Registered Nurse (RN) assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age‑specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. This position is located at the Domiciliary.
Qualifications
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)
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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6)
Individuals graduating from 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 appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level nursing education program
Credit for foreign nursing education higher than 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). 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/12933571)
Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I – Level I: Deliver 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 needs; An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I; 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 where one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level II; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level II; 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 III; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and 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 a 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 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
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: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with inpatient care – including bending, grasping, kneeling, moderate lifting, and carrying tasks of up to 35 pounds per the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines and using an appropriate mechanical lift. Candidate must possess the ability to pivot their waist and neck – push and pull items not greater than 35 pounds and reach within a five‑foot distance or above shoulder height. The position requires sitting, squatting, standing, walking, and twisting – alongside wrist flexion and extension. Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting. Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties – distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely. The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties – hearing aids permitted. This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care – and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include but are not limited to: significant amounts of time standing, assisting assigned patients, and utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.
Duties
Work as a Registered Nurse in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Therapeutic Program (RRTP). Duties include but are not limited to: The Mental Health (MH) RN executes position duties by providing patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care and maintaining self‑awareness while caring for patients living with mental health–substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) conditions.
Facilitate care coordination – linking with the inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings, warm hand‑offs, and develop content as well as facilitate nurse‑led psychoeducational groups.
Use therapeutic communication techniques – practice de‑escalation techniques – utilize recovery‑oriented language – and provide veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plans.
Report and assist and/or direct safety concern resolution and collaborate with program leadership to help improve patient and program outcomes and direct team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement‑based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care according to facility policy.
Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement.
Support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe‑quality nursing care.
Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
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: One full and unrestricted license from any US state or territory. Work Schedule: 7:00 pm – 7:30 am rotating – including every other weekend and holiday. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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Registered Nurse (RN) assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age‑specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. This position is located at the Domiciliary.
Qualifications
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)
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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6)
Individuals graduating from 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 appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level nursing education program
Credit for foreign nursing education higher than 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). 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/12933571)
Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I – Level I: Deliver 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 needs; An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level I; 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 where one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level II; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level II; 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 III; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and 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 a 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 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
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: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with inpatient care – including bending, grasping, kneeling, moderate lifting, and carrying tasks of up to 35 pounds per the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines and using an appropriate mechanical lift. Candidate must possess the ability to pivot their waist and neck – push and pull items not greater than 35 pounds and reach within a five‑foot distance or above shoulder height. The position requires sitting, squatting, standing, walking, and twisting – alongside wrist flexion and extension. Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting. Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties – distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely. The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties – hearing aids permitted. This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care – and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include but are not limited to: significant amounts of time standing, assisting assigned patients, and utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.
Duties
Work as a Registered Nurse in the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Therapeutic Program (RRTP). Duties include but are not limited to: The Mental Health (MH) RN executes position duties by providing patient‑centered and recovery‑oriented care and maintaining self‑awareness while caring for patients living with mental health–substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) conditions.
Facilitate care coordination – linking with the inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings, warm hand‑offs, and develop content as well as facilitate nurse‑led psychoeducational groups.
Use therapeutic communication techniques – practice de‑escalation techniques – utilize recovery‑oriented language – and provide veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plans.
Report and assist and/or direct safety concern resolution and collaborate with program leadership to help improve patient and program outcomes and direct team response to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
Document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, measurement‑based care tools, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care according to facility policy.
Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement.
Support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe‑quality nursing care.
Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
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: One full and unrestricted license from any US state or territory. Work Schedule: 7:00 pm – 7:30 am rotating – including every other weekend and holiday. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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