Outpatient Behavioral Health Registered Nurse- PCMHI

The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Registered Nurse (RN) reports directly to the Outpatient Behavioral Health Nurse Manager and collaborates with the PCMHI multidisciplinary team in providing program-specific services addressing holistic patient care approaches in managing Veterans with mental health care needs.

The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and / or supervising direct patient care. 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. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit / program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

The PCMHI RN is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. The RN will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. The PCMHI RN demonstrates competence in practice and decision-making, deliberate planning, and critical thinking skills. They provide evidence-based, condition specific (e.g., depression), protocol-driven services to collaboratively assist Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) providers in treating common Mental Health (MH) and health behavior concerns in Primary Care (PC). PCMHI RN services include patient education, activation, behavioral interventions, monitoring of medication adherence and response, running psychoeducational groups, as well as other protocol-driven services. These services are provided in the outpatient PC setting utilizing all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. The PCMHI RN participates in patient outreach and engagement in proper treatment. Assesses, reviews, develops, maintains, and monitors Veteran specific plans of care, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient outcomes are reported and validated. Participates in caseload consultation with team members. Provides education and brief interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, and other focused treatment strategies. The PCMHI RN conducts relapse prevention planning throughout care, including transition from active treatment to maintenance as goals are achieved. Effectively communicate with patients, families, caregivers, VA leadership, and members of the interdisciplinary team using therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques, and utilizes recovery-oriented language. Collaborates with PCMHI leadership / team members to develop / enhance educational materials and use marketing strategies to promote PCMHI RN services. Continuously collaborate with the PCMHI team to ensure high quality, effective, Veteran-centered services at the patient and programmatic levels. The PCMHI RN actively participates MH interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed. The PCMHI RN reports and addresses safety concerns, document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care, according to facility policy. The PCMHI RN 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.

Preferred Experience : 2 years in 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, 8 : 00 AM - 4 : 30 PM

Telework : Ad-Hoc, per VA policy and supervisor discretion

Virtual : This is not a virtual position

• .Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized