Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) - Psychiatric Mental Health

Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The PCMHI APN-PMHNP is a co-located, collaborative care behavioral health provider who serves as a member of the primary care clinic's multidisciplinary health care teams, and who delivers direct care and consultation-based services to Veterans, primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members to manage the overall health of the enrolled population. The PCMHI APN-PMHNP uses population-based practice management strategies, and maintains competencies in the following core domains:

Clinical and Practice Management Skills

• Uses functional assessment, evidence-based intervention, and consultation techniques to address common behavioral health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, sleep problems, stress) and health behavior concerns (e.g., chronic pain, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use). Routinely uses brief assessment measures to assist in intervention planning, goal setting, and outcomes monitoring.
• Accepts warm handoffs and referrals from PACT members, and triages, assesses, and refers to specialty behavioral health care services appropriately and efficiently in accordance with principles of stepped care (i.e., delivery of most effective, least resource intensive treatment appropriate for patients' individual needs, preferences, and resources).
• Conducts risk assessments and safety planning as clinically indicated and in accordance with VA policy and clinical practice standards.

Documentation Skills

• Writes assessment, intervention, and consultation notes that include all required elements and that are brief, clear, concise, and readable.
• Uses diagnosis and procedure codes that are accurate and appropriate for the setting and the service provided.

Consultation and Multidisciplinary Teamwork Skills

• Functions as subject matter expert in providing consultation and education to PACTs on assessment, intervention, referrals, and resources for behavioral health and health behavior concerns.
• Maintains regular communication and effective collaboration with PACT members during episodes of direct care. Routinely attends regularly scheduled PACT huddles or team meetings or conducts rounding or other proactive outreach to PACTs.

Administration

• Consistently meets performance metrics related to productivity, same day access, brief encounter fidelity, and timeliness of documentation and clinical communication.
• Participates in development, implementation, and evaluation of the PCMHI program to optimize the delivery of behavioral health services and improve access, utilization, and outcomes of care as well as patient satisfaction.
• Regularly attends PCMHI Community of Practice and Integrated Care Monthly Education conference calls. Attends Mental Health Service meetings as schedule permits. Participates in Medical/Dental Staff meetings as a non-voting member in accordance with medical staff by-laws.
• Consistently follows VA, VHSO, Mental Health Service, and program administrative policies and supervisory guidance. Adheres to relevant professional ethical codes; local, state; and federal laws; compliance and accreditation standards; and safety, privacy, and information security policies and protocols.

Teaching and Training

• Teaches and mentors staff and trainees to enhance their professional growth, development, and competence. Provides supervision for licensure or specialty certifications as needed.
• Provides education to Veterans, their families and caregivers, VA staff, and other relevant stakeholders about behavioral health issues, services, and resources. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.

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, 8:00am-4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of service.

Telework: Available (ad-hoc)

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs