PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER-CHIEF OF MENTAL HEALTH

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.

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Ill Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) practices in Mental Health (MH) Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The PMHNP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. The PMHNP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. The PMHNP has prescriptive authority as indicated by their position. The VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS) is a Level 3 facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, neurological, and psychiatric inpatients and outpatients, with a Level Ill Emergency Department, multiple VA Clinics, and a Community Living Center (CLC). There is a significant outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and telehealth nursing care is also provided. Home-Based Primary Care is provided in the veteran's home. PMHNP is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. The APN practices in a broad variety of mental health programs. The APN may be assigned responsibilities and duties based on education, experience and competency in various outpatient settings. The APN is also a part of the team providing on-call responsibilities to the Emergency Department, Inpatient Mental Health unit and consultation service. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: Uses advanced clinical judgment to independently provide evidence-based treatment to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness including use of psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other modalities. - Provides patient and family education on medical/MH conditions, preventive measures, and prescribed treatments. - Demonstrates leadership and engages in collaboration with other MH and specialty care professionals while involving Veterans and their families (as appropriate), in treatment plan development. - Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes. - Counsels and treats patients with substance use disorders. - Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. - Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services. - Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. The Chief of Mental Health (Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner) manages administrative and clinical aspects of a combination of programs located across the WCHCS. They have responsibility for coordinating interdisciplinary staffing, creating and monitoring work assignments, managing budget, ensuring implementation of treatment services per VA Directive, monitoring and reporting upon quality and safety of services and providers, ensuring program standards meet accreditation requirements of oversight bodies, monitoring and reporting upon outcomes of various programs, actively participating in and reporting to national, VISN and facility level committees. They also supervise employees assigned to the programs. At VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS), the incumbent will function under the title of Chief of Mental Health (Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner) He/she will directly oversee program services congruent with experience and areas of competence. This includes the oversight of over 80 personnel employees at (Title 5, Hybrid 38, Title 38 Employees). 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: Monday-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm Telework: This position is authorized for telework - situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as virtual or remote. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): May be Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.

See qualifications.