Summary

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.

Duties

• 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