Advanced Practice Nurse - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Everett, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) provides mental health care to Veterans. The position uses advanced clinical judgment to independently deliver evidence-based treatment for acute and chronic mental illness, including psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other modalities. The nurse practitioner provides education to patients and families, collaborates with Veterans, families, and health care professionals to develop and evaluate treatment plans, and adjusts care to support optimal outcomes. The role also treats substance use disorders, orders and interprets diagnostic studies, and contributes leadership to clinical improvement and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Flexible or compressed scheduling is authorized; telework is not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position requires a valid unrestricted state driver's license and the ability to operate a government vehicle. It may require a probationary period and a pre-employment physical examination. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Applicants must meet the education, licensure, and certification requirements for an Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner), including a qualifying master's or doctoral degree or post-master's certificate, an active unrestricted NP license, and current board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Nurse II is the entry grade and requires no experience; Nurse III requires one year of specialized APN experience equivalent to Nurse II.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE when the program was completed, with a post-master's certificate, master's degree, or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Hold and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Maintain current basic 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, have one year of specialized APN experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level; Nurse II has no experience requirement.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Demonstrate basic written and spoken English proficiency for direct patient care.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
• Pass applicable pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and physical examination; participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Provide acceptable identification and complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
• Hold a valid state-issued driver's license with an unrestricted history under VA policy and be able to operate a government vehicle as determined by an Occupational Health driving examination.
• Meet the stated physical requirements, including moderate lifting and carrying, pushing, operating a motor vehicle, distinguishing basic colors, and hearing (a hearing aid may be permitted).

Responsibilities

• Independently provide evidence-based treatment to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness, including psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other modalities.
• Educate patients and families about medical and mental health conditions, preventive measures, and prescribed treatments.
• Demonstrate leadership and collaborate with mental health and specialty care professionals, involving Veterans and their families as appropriate in treatment-plan development.
• Assess and adjust plans of care to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Counsel and treat patients with substance use disorders.
• Order and interpret laboratory work, tests, and diagnostic studies.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and health care practitioners to develop, implement, and evaluate care.
• Use customer service principles, support Veteran self-determination, and serve as a resource for patients and staff addressing ethical issues.
• Contribute to performance-improvement initiatives by identifying, analyzing, developing, and implementing processes that improve care at the panel, program, or population level.
• Identify and evaluate clinical or process improvement opportunities and trends, and take appropriate action to resolve them.
• Plan and facilitate change as a leader to improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve patient care, staff development, and performance measures.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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