Nurse - Inpatient

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. Major duties: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care on the Inpatient Acute Mental Health Unit. Duties may include but are not limited to: Performs basic medical/physical, psychological, and social assessments as well as identify and prioritize care needs in a mental health setting and while taking effective actions in emergencies. Provides preventative health screening, immunizations, medication administration, and management of multiple types of psychiatric/behavioral and medical/physical presentations in mental health outpatient and/or inpatient settings. Provides oversight and monitoring of patients' compliance with the patient safe medication management program. Is involved in performance improvement activities and takes action to ensure the success of the mental health performance measures. Provides education to patient and families and facilitates a broad spectrum of health and life skills related classes. Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribes safety and infection control procedures including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated, and proper disposal of soiled materials. Functions proactively to prevent potential medical and psychiatric emergencies as part of the team. Recognizes these emergencies and initiates appropriate action. Responds to actual and /or potential medical and psychiatric emergencies. Observes cognitive status and the potential for elopement, withdrawl, intrusion, or potential for danger to self or others. Serves as a resounce and liaison for patients, families, colleagues, and other programs in the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The Inpatient Mental Health Nurse has successfully completed comprehensive training in PMDB Therapeutic Containment, including hands-on training. The employee is fully trained to immediately implement patient containment safety procedures and can effectively apply all learning from all levels of PMDB training, including de-escalation techniques, into practice. 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: 3:30pm-Midnight, may include weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAV21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements: 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 evaluation. 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.