Nurse Practitioner - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Wichita Falls, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) practices in the Mental Health Service, providing advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management to Veterans. The role emphasizes quality and timely care and supports the VA mission. The PMHNP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification, with prescriptive authority as indicated by the position. The practitioner is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for patients with acute or chronic mental illness.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan repayment program. Applicants must meet VHA eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount of up to $200,000, and an eligibility period of one to five years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. The position is not virtual, and telework is not available. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized; Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• Post-master’s certificate, master’s degree, or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Graduation from a professional nursing school approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE when the program was completed; foreign nursing education must have nurse practitioner degree equivalency validated by a recognized agency.
• 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 full and 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 Practitioner III qualification: meet the basic education requirement and have one year of specialized APN Nurse Practitioner experience equivalent to Nurse II.
• Meet the applicable scope and dimension criteria for the grade, including evidence-based clinical practice, outcome focus, leadership, professional development, and professionalism/collegiality.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Pass applicable pre-employment screening, including urinalysis for positions designated for testing, a background/security investigation, and a physical evaluation; complete required onboarding and application documents.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Five to ten years of mental health experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently provide evidence-based treatment to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness, including psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other modalities.
• Provide patients and families with education 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 tests, other tests, and diagnostic studies.
• Initiate referrals and consultations to specialty services.
• Demonstrate VA’s ICARE values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan repayment of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and approval.
• 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.
• 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.
• One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory is accepted.

What This Job Offers

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