Advanced Practice Nurse, Mental Health Program Manager (Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership)

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Nurse serves as the Mental Health Program Manager for the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) initiative at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. VITAL supports Veterans as they integrate into college and university campuses and pursue their academic goals. The Program Manager provides leadership across healthcare and academic communities and manages a program that significantly affects care for student Veterans.

The position combines advanced psychiatric nursing practice with direct responsibility for VITAL program operations and staff supervision. The incumbent provides evidence-based mental health treatment, including medication management and psychotherapy, and coordinates care with Veterans, families, clinical teams, colleges, universities, and community partners. The role also oversees program planning, staffing, resources, quality improvement, telehealth, and services at participating campuses.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Situational (ad hoc) telework is authorized; the position is not remote or virtual. The role may involve travel to campuses and community care locations. The nurse must maintain an active, unrestricted nurse practitioner license and current psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner board certification. A master's or doctoral degree, or post-master's certificate, as a Nurse Practitioner is required. Nurse III qualification requires one year of specialized APN experience equivalent to Nurse II; Nurse II is the entry grade and requires no experience. Preferred experience is one year providing mental health treatment to Veterans in a college or university setting.

Requirements

• Graduate of a professional nursing school accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed, with a Nurse Practitioner master's degree, doctoral degree, or post-master's certificate.
• Active, current, full, and unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Full and current board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from ANCC, AANPCB, or another nationally recognized certifying body in the area of academic preparation.
• For Nurse III qualification, one year of specialized APN (Nurse Practitioner) experience equivalent to Nurse II; Nurse II is the entry grade and requires no experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including urinalysis, background/security investigation, and physical examination; complete onboarding requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and, if required, serve a probationary period.
• Maintain a current, valid state driver's license and meet VA requirements for operating a government vehicle.
• Meet the position's physical requirements, including primarily light and sedentary duties with occasional moderate physical activity and the ability to perform duties safely, with reasonable accommodation if necessary.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience providing mental health treatment to Veterans in a college or university setting.

Responsibilities

• Independently provide evidence-based treatment to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness, including psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other treatment modalities.
• Provide patients and families with education about medical and mental health conditions, prevention, and prescribed treatments.
• Collaborate with mental health and specialty care professionals and involve Veterans and families, as appropriate, in developing treatment plans.
• Assess and adjust plans of care to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Counsel and treat patients with substance use disorders.
• Order and interpret laboratory tests, other tests, and diagnostic studies.
• Initiate referrals and consults for specialty services.
• Manage the day-to-day functions and activities of the VITAL program and supervise assigned staff, including psychologists, social workers, and peer mentors.
• Develop staff competencies and performance plans, provide clinical consultation and guidance, and promote effective working relationships and treatment-team environments.
• Coordinate and facilitate services for student Veterans throughout and beyond the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System catchment area.
• Collaborate with clinical services and programs across the health care system on concerns related to student Veterans.
• Plan, develop, and implement short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the program strategic plan.
• Oversee program resources and deploy resources and support to meet program needs.
• Work with Human Resources, facility leadership, and professional discipline leads on hiring, performance evaluation, and disciplinary actions.
• Prepare grant applications to support development of the VITAL program.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures consistent with program goals and Veterans Health Administration policies.
• Monitor outcomes through data-driven quality assurance and implement improvement strategies based on collected data.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with colleges and universities, including negotiating Memoranda of Understanding and revocable licenses when applicable.
• Train faculty and staff at institutions of higher learning on Veteran-related issues.
• Oversee telehealth services to rural campuses.
• Provide on-site mental health assessment and treatment to student Veterans at designated colleges and universities.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate campus, VA, and community services.
• Educate faculty about post-deployment adjustment and reactions, working effectively with student Veterans, and available campus, community, and VA resources.
• Consult with faculty and staff on effectively supporting returning Veterans who appear to be experiencing emotional or academic difficulties.
• Model the VA ICARE core values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level