The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP), Advanced Practice Nurse II, serves within the Veterans Affairs Washington DC Health Care System. The incumbent practices in Outpatient and Inpatient Mental Health and the Emergency Department, providing a full range of mental health services in support of quality, timely Veteran-centered care and the advancement of the VA mission. This position will have an intermittent work schedule working primarily on weekends.
The NP provides comprehensive mental health care, including health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention, crisis intervention, assessment and management of psychiatric illnesses, medication management, patient and family education, community referrals, and interdisciplinary coordination of care.
The incumbent independently manages Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions while collaborating with physicians, peers, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides evidence-based psychiatric and mental health care to assigned Veterans as a licensed independent practitioner.
Performs comprehensive psychiatric and clinical assessments and independently manages Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Provides psychiatric and mental health interventions, including the prescription, renewal, and modification of psychiatric medications in accordance with applicable medical center policy.
Develops, implements, evaluates, and adjusts individualized treatment plans to promote optimal health outcomes and effective management of psychiatric and other health conditions. Provides crisis intervention and management of psychiatric illnesses across applicable outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care settings. Orders and interprets laboratory tests, diagnostic tests, and other appropriate diagnostic studies.
Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions within approved clinical privileges and scope of practice. Initiates referrals and consultations to specialty services and coordinates community referrals as appropriate. Provides education and counseling to Veterans and their families regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, health promotion, disease prevention, and self-management.
Collaborates with physicians, nurses, peers, and other interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to coordinate care and promote continuity across healthcare settings. Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, including leading patient care teams and facilitating changes designed to improve patient outcomes. Applies critical thinking and advanced clinical judgment in assessing and managing complex patient-care situations.
Incorporates research and evidence-based practice, professional standards, regulatory requirements, and clinical practice guidelines into the delivery and evaluation of care. Participates in performance and quality improvement activities by identifying, analyzing, and implementing processes to improve quality, timeliness, patient outcomes, and healthcare delivery.
Identifies clinical and process improvement opportunities and trends and takes appropriate action to support resolution. Educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a clinical and professional resource to members of the interprofessional healthcare team. Maintains professional competence through ongoing education and assumes responsibility for continued professional development.
Demonstrates effective communication, collaboration, professionalism, and ethical conduct while promoting cooperation and teamwork with Veterans, families, staff, and internal and external stakeholders. Supports a culture of safety, infection prevention, privacy, accreditation readiness, and compliance with applicable VA policies, procedures, and standards. Performs other duties as assigned.
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: Intermittent, The position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments and may include rotation of tours or work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Chelsea.Montgomery@va.gov · 410-691-0614
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $134419 – $202008/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-21.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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