Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) - Inpatient Psychiatric Unit Supervisor

Quick Facts

• Advanced practice role in inpatient mental health (30-bed acute psychiatric unit)
• Supervises and coordinates inpatient psychiatric unit programming and staff
• Provides independent, evidence-based psychiatric care including prescribing as required

Description

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management for Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness, emphasizing quality and timeliness. The role coordinates and implements inpatient psychiatric unit programming, supports mission-driven acute stabilization, supervises staff, and improves outcomes through data-driven quality assurance. Treatment includes psychotropic medication management, psychotherapy, substance use disorder counseling, patient/family education, and ordering/interpreting labs and diagnostic studies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement inpatient psychiatric unit (IPU) programming for acute stabilization of Veterans with complex mental health and substance use needs
• Supervise staff and manage unit program delivery
• Develop and implement policies/procedures aligned with VHA policy and external accreditation requirements; monitor outcomes and apply data-driven quality improvement strategies
• Provide evidence-based psychiatric treatment independently, including medication and psychotherapy modalities
• Assess and adjust plans of care to achieve optimal patient outcomes
• Provide patient and family education on mental health/medical conditions, preventive measures, and prescribed treatments
• Counsel and treat patients with substance use disorders
• Order and interpret labs, tests, and diagnostic studies; initiate referrals and specialty consults
• Collaborate with other mental health and specialty care professionals to develop treatment plans

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, paid federal holidays)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory
• Monday–Friday schedule (0800–1630)
• Telework authorized as situational/ad-hoc only; not remote; not virtual
• Relocation/recruitment incentives and PCS: not authorized

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; otherwise only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy
• Subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use if the testing position requires it
• English proficiency for direct patient care roles
• Selective Service registration required for eligible males
• Background/security investigation and pre-employment onboarding requirements
• Pre-employment physical evaluation
• Seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA Health Care Personnel
• May be required to complete a probationary period
• Education: NP post-master’s certificate or master’s/doctoral degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program (or validated foreign equivalency)
• License: active, current, full, unrestricted NP/APN license
• Board certification: current basic board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) via ANCC, AANPCB, or other nationally recognized body
• Physical ability to perform advanced practice nursing duties, including physical assessment and safe patient handling/mobility protocols