Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse

About the role

Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System is a Joint Commission accredited Level 1c complexity facility consisting of a 61-bed hospital in Muskogee and six community-based outpatient clinics in Tulsa, Bartlesville, Claremore, Vinita, McAlester, and Idabel. In 2021, Congress approved federal funding for a new Veterans Hospital in Tulsa, the first to be built under the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016.

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 proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time of program completion.
• Alternative Education Pathways:
  • Individuals in a master's-level bridge program who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's degree in nursing may become registered with a state licensing board prior to program completion; upon licensure, may be appointed temporarily and later converted to permanent appointment after successful graduation (VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6).
  • Graduates of foreign nursing schools: possession of a current, full, active, unrestricted registration meets the requirement for graduation from an approved school for appointment as a nurse with an associate degree/entry-level education. Credit for foreign education beyond associate degree requires formal degree equivalency validation from a VA-accepted evaluator such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Licensure: Current, full, active, unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates meeting education requirements but lacking licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the applicable grade/level as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (extendable up to two years case-by-case).
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in the 0610 series performing described duties on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including education and licensure/certification.

Preferred Experience

1–3 years of mental health experience.

Grade Determinations

Grade and level assignments are based on scope, education, and dimension criteria (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, Evidence-Based Practice/Research). Dimension details are in the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13114088.

• Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care while developing technical competencies. Education: Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing; no additional experience required.
• Nurse I – Level II: Integrates biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, and technically competent practice for basic or complex clients. Education: ADN/Diploma + 1 year specialized experience equivalent to Nurse I Level I; OR BSN with no additional experience.
• Nurse I – Level III: Proficient practice based on conscious planning; self-directed goal setting for complex situations. Education: ADN/Diploma + 2 years professional experience (1 year equivalent to Nurse I Level II); OR BSN + 1 year experience equivalent to Nurse I Level II; OR MSN with no additional experience; OR Master's in related field with BSN and no additional experience.
• Nurse II: Demonstrates leadership in delivering/improving holistic care through collaborative strategies. Education: BSN + 2 years experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR MSN + 1 year specialized experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR Master's in related field with BSN + 1 year specialized experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with no experience; OR Doctoral in related field with BSN and no additional experience.
• Nurse III: Executes responsibilities demonstrating leadership, experience, and creative approaches to complex client care beyond immediate setting. Education: MSN + 2 years specialized experience (1 year equivalent to Nurse II) meeting all Nurse III dimension requirements; OR Master's in related field with BSN + 2 years specialized experience (1 year equivalent to Nurse II) meeting all Nurse III dimension requirements; OR Doctoral in Nursing + 1 year specialized experience equivalent to Nurse II meeting all Nurse III dimension requirements; OR Doctoral in related field with BSN + 1 year specialized experience equivalent to Nurse II meeting all Nurse III dimension requirements.

Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement/outcomes utilization consultation.
• Independently provide patient-centered, recovery-oriented care while maintaining self-awareness when caring for patients with mental health conditions.
• Facilitate warm hand-offs, telemental health care, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups.
• Use therapeutic communication, practice de-escalation techniques, utilize recovery-oriented language, and educate veterans, family members, and significant others about illness, medications, and treatment plans.
• Actively participate in care coordination, liaising with inpatient mental health units for continuity of care, interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings, and respond to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed.
• Report and address safety concerns; document nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care per facility policy.
• Maintain professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the patient's best interest.
• Foster a safe, supportive environment conducive to professional development of healthcare professionals.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care.
• Question clinical practices to ensure evidence-based care.

Benef