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 include but are not limited to: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, and technically competent practice while providing care to clients. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. The Inpatient Mental Health (MH) Registered Nurse (RN) provides competent, evidence-based care, the psychiatric MH nurse provides patient-centered and recovery oriented care, milieu management, and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions.
They facilitate shift reports, warm hand-offs, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups; use therapeutic communication techniques, practice de-escalation techniques, and utilize recovery-oriented language.
The nurse actively participates in MH interdisciplinary treatment team, MH Environment of Care rounds, and psychiatric emergencies, reports safety concerns, and documents nursing assessments, nursing plan of care, patient safety observations, and environmental safety rounds according to facility policy. The nurse maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient.
The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization. This nurse has fundamental MH experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform, integrating theoretical concepts, basic critical thinking skills, and technically skilled practice.
Preferred Experience: Mental Health experience strongly preferred 1-2 years acute care, long term care nursing experience 1-2 years of clinical experience in behavioral health, psychiatric care, addiction treatment, crisis care, or residential settings background in psychiatric nursing, acute care, substance abuse/detoxification, and/or emergency room nursing Crisis management certifications Experience with and ability to manage acute psychiatric distress, assess behavioral triggers, and safely de-escalate volatile situations.
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: Full-Time, 1830-0700.
May vary to meet department/facility needs. Weekends and holidays required Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
SONIA.WHIPP@VA.GOV · (909)487-4135
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $89703 – $166144/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-30.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-24 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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