Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Clearlake, CA

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the Clearlake VA Outpatient Clinic provides comprehensive, patient-centered primary care to Veterans in a rural outpatient setting. Working within the VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, the practitioner provides evidence-based care focused on prevention, health promotion, chronic disease management, and coordination across the continuum of care. The position serves a geographically isolated population and uses telehealth and virtual care when appropriate to address access barriers.

The nurse practitioner evaluates and manages acute illnesses, chronic diseases, and complex medical conditions; provides preventive and age-appropriate care; and coordinates services with an interdisciplinary team. The practitioner works independently within an approved scope of practice, follows VA clinical guidelines and standards, documents care in the VA electronic health record (CPRS), and contributes to quality improvement and clinic operations. The position may be filled at Nurse II or Nurse III, depending on qualifications. This is an open continuous announcement, with applications accepted until January 4, 2027 and referrals made as vacancies arise.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be available with appropriate approval, but this is not a virtual position. Occasional travel may be required. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; the potential award is up to $200,000 over one to five years. Relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed; qualifying nurse practitioner education must be a post-master's certificate, master's degree, or doctoral degree.
• Maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted advanced practice nurse 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 Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner from ANCC, AANPCB, or another nationally recognized certifying body in the area of academic preparation.
• For Nurse III consideration, have one year of specialized nurse practitioner experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Demonstrate English proficiency for direct patient care.
• Be a U.S. citizen, unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet applicable selective service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including drug testing for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Maintain flexibility in schedule and assignments and adapt priorities to organizational needs.
• If driving is required, comply with applicable driving policies and processes.
• Submit transcripts when relying on education to meet qualification requirements; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• One year of primary care nurse practitioner experience.
• For Nurse III consideration, experience demonstrating leadership and complex-care management at the Nurse II level or equivalent.
• Telework may be available with appropriate approvals, though it is not guaranteed.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive primary care to assigned Veterans across the lifespan in an outpatient setting.
• Perform detailed health histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic evaluations.
• Diagnose, treat, and manage acute illnesses, chronic diseases, and complex medical conditions.
• Prescribe medications, durable medical equipment, and therapeutic interventions in accordance with VA policies and scope of practice.
• Order, interpret, and follow up on laboratory tests, imaging studies, and diagnostic procedures.
• Provide preventive care, including health screenings, immunizations, and risk-factor modification.
• Deliver gender-specific and age-appropriate care, including women's health services as applicable.
• Manage pain, polypharmacy, and multiple comorbidities common in the Veteran population.
• Serve as a core provider within the PACT model, emphasizing continuity, access, and coordinated care.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, mental health providers, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Participate in daily huddles, team meetings, and care-planning activities.
• Coordinate specialty-care referrals and ensure appropriate follow-up and continuity of care.
• Use care-management and population-health tools to monitor patient outcomes and panel performance.
• Use telehealth, virtual care, and clinical video visits to expand access when appropriate.
• Document patient encounters accurately and promptly in the VA electronic health record (CPRS).
• Comply with VA clinical practice guidelines, performance measures, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in quality-improvement initiatives, peer review, and clinical performance monitoring.
• Maintain licensure, certification, and required VA training.
• Educate Veterans and their families about diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, and self-management strategies.
• Promote VA Whole Health principles, preventive care, lifestyle modification, shared decision-making, and Veteran-centered care.
• Practice independently within the approved scope and seek consultation as needed.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing staff and trainees as appropriate.
• Participate in clinic operations, policy development, and process-improvement efforts.
• Uphold VA mission, values, and ethical standards.
• Travel occasionally, if required.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with a potential award 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 annually: 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 VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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