Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Associate Chief of Mental Health, Inpatient)

Quick Facts

• Role: Associate Chief of Mental Health / Supervisory Nurse Practitioner (Inpatient Mental Health)

Description

The Associate Chief of Mental Health serves as the senior clinician for Mental Health, assisting the Chief of Mental Health in the overall operation of the Mental Health Service and supervising multiple inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use programs. The role requires full practice of advanced practice nursing within education, training, and certification, while overseeing clinical and administrative functions, monitoring quality and outcomes, and completing quality measures and reports. In addition, the APN maintains an independent clinical caseload providing psychiatric evaluation, medication management, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and treatment planning.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Chief of Mental Health to ensure Mental Health Service areas are functioning optimally

• Supervise inpatient psychiatric unit and substance use/behavioral health programs (inpatient and outpatient) and the Access Crisis Team

• Oversee clinical and administrative operations, monitoring quality and service delivery

• Support strategic planning, operational priorities, resource deployment, and team-oriented care for Veterans

• Participate in clinical leadership meetings and discipline leadership activities

• Participate in applicable committees as assigned

• Maintain an independent advanced practice clinical caseload and provide direct patient care

• Complete clinical documentation per VHA/VASLCHCS standards and timelines

• Complete all required quality measures and reports requested by VA systems

• Hold daily/weekly team meetings (e.g., daily care coordination) to staff Veterans and resolve clinical/administrative issues

• Cover for the Chief of Mental Health in their absence, as needed

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (or limited non-citizen appointment when citizens cannot be recruited)

• English language proficiency for direct patient care

• Active, current, full, unrestricted APN license as a Nurse Practitioner

• Current basic board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

• Post-master's certificate or master's/doctoral degree as an NP from an ACEN or CCNE approved program (or validated foreign equivalent)

• Selectively registered with the Selective Service System if required

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment requirements; pass pre-employment physical exam

• Comply with drug testing requirements if in a testing-designated position

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Meet physical requirements typical of advanced practice nurse duties (assessment and mobility-related tasks)

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards

• Paid time off: 50 days/year (annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays)

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday 08:00–16:30

• Telework: telework-situational (ad-hoc); not authorized as remote

• Relocation/recruitment incentives and PCS: not authorized