Associate Chief Nurse for Mental Health

Quick Facts

• Role: Registered Nurse — Associate Chief Nurse of Mental Health

• Focus: Senior nursing leadership and program management for the Mental Health service line

Description

As the Associate Chief Nurse of Mental Health, you will provide program management to coordinate care, with oversight of nursing clinical practice, administrative functions, and leadership accountability for assigned areas. You will execute leadership for integrated programs across services and disciplines, supporting the organization’s mission and health care goals. The role emphasizes compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a High Reliability Organization (HRO) culture of safety.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor

• Provide senior leadership and oversight for daily nursing clinical and administrative operations (as directed by the ADPCS)

• Oversee all aspects of care within the Mental Health service line, including administrative direction for mental health programs

• Apply knowledge of nursing and mental health nursing regulations, VHA guidelines, medical review criteria, and clinical documentation requirements

• Support integration and collaboration with other professional disciplines to achieve patient-centered goals

• Champion an HRO culture of safety using evidence-based solutions focused on prevention

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and facility/network program and service leaders

• Effectively communicate with customers, families, community, and leadership stakeholders

• Assist the ADPCS with healthcare operations and related functions

• Recommend standards of care, policies, and objectives to improve nursing practice

• Manage leave schedules and T&L approvals to ensure coverage and labor mapping accuracy

• Ensure adequate and appropriate staffing; partner with HR on recruitment, hiring, evaluation, discipline, and termination for Mental Health staff

• Review and use performance reports, benchmark data, budget documents, staffing, and other reports to support decisions

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential performance awards

• Paid Time Off: 50 days/year (26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 federal holidays)

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

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

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (may adjust to service needs)

• Telework: not available; ad-hoc

• Virtual: not a virtual position

• Relocation/recruitment incentives: may be authorized

Additional Information

• Excepted Service position; does not confer competitive status

• May be used to fill additional vacancies

• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply