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.
The Outpatient Behavioral Health (BH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve Veteran and organizational outcomes. The psychiatric BH RN executes their position duties by providing patient-centered, recovery-oriented principles, telemental health, community-based care, and self-awareness when caring for Veterans living with BH conditions.
The BH RN actively engages in interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, de-escalation practices, recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans, their families, and significant others on illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.
The BH RN assists and/or directs safety concern resolution and collaborates with program leadership to help improve Veteran and program outcomes, liaising with Inpatient BH Units, develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups, and directs teams response to psychiatric and medical emergencies.
The BH RN documents assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and Veteran care plans following facility policy, maintaining professional boundaries and acting in the Veteran's best interest. The registered nurse (RN) assigned to the outpatient Behavioral Health team collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams in the delivery and coordination of comprehensive care to Veterans receiving outpatient behavioral health services.
The RN may work in, be assigned to, or provide cross-coverage for any Behavioral Health Service (BHS) program, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), or facility under the El Paso VA Health Care System based on patient care needs and operational requirements.
Assignments may include, but are not limited to, the Behavioral Health Access Team (BHAT), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Somatic Treatments (i.e Esketamine, etc.), Hospital Liaison, Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR), Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH).
The RN must maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license and possess the ability to safely operate a Government Services Administration (GSA) vehicle. Driving responsibilities may include travel between CBOCs & Main VA Facility within the El Paso VA Health Care System, community-based and home visits, outreach activities, and minimal transportation of Veterans when necessary and consistent with VA policy and operational requirements.
This requirement supports the RN's responsibility to provide coverage and services across BHS programs, community settings, CBOCs, and other facilities that fall under the El Paso VA Health Care System.
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) provides a comprehensive range of services, including walk-in/same-day access, crisis assessment and management, group programming, evidence-based treatments, tele-mental health services, medication management, case management/Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) services, counseling for couples and families, psychological assessment, outreach, and other behavioral health services.
The responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (BH RN) include, but are not limited to, conducting risk assessments, triage, and clinical nursing services for Veterans seeking or receiving behavioral health care.
The BH RN addresses Secure Messaging (SM), Message Managers (MM), and other Veteran care requests within established facility policy and standards for timeliness, responding directly within the RN's scope of practice and appropriately routing, reassigning, or escalating requests to the appropriate team, provider, or service when indicated.
The RN reviews diagnostic and laboratory results, discusses abnormal findings with the referring or responsible provider, and communicates normal results to Veterans and/or caregivers, as appropriate. 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: Monday-Friday, 08:00am-04:45pm Telework: Available Ad Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for EDRP incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov , for questions/assistance. Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $77694 – $133783/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-03.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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