Registered Nurse - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Istss; Auburn (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP program

Federal benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Collaborative Care Manager Registered Nurse to support PACT providers in treating common mental health and health behavior concerns within Primary Care. The role includes a weekly caseload, care coordination, and implementing evidence-based interventions.

The position offers Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, competitive salary, generous PTO, and federal benefits. Work schedule is typical weekday hours with potential telework not available.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required for patient care and documentation.
• RN licensed in the U.S. state, with active registration.
• Graduate of an approved nursing school per ACEN/CCNE.
• Bridge program pathways may lead to RN licensure.
• Foreign education must be evaluated for equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based, protocol-driven care for MH and health behaviors.
• Participate in PCMHI team meetings and care coordination.
• Conduct assessments and document health histories and goals.
• Educate patients and caregivers using brief behavioral health techniques.
• Assist with triage and referrals via E-consult and PCMHI processes.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing care

Care coordination

Communication

Education

RN license (state licensed)

BSN/ADN or diploma in Nursing

Tools

Behavioral Health Lab software

E-consult process

Job description

Summary

Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) is a component of the interdisciplinary Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The PCMHI Collaborative Care Manager Registered Nurse assist PACT providers in treating common mental health & health behavior. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): APPROVED! Learn more. This is an open continuous announcement until September 30 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered & referred as vacancies become available.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by‑case‑basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13033018
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2-3 years Psychiatric/Mental Health nursing experience National certification as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Experience in care coordination/care management Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Duties will include - but are not limited to the following: Provides evidence-based - condition specific (e.g. - anxiety - depression) - protocol-driven services to collaboratively assist Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) providers in treating common Mental Health (MH) and health behavior concerns in Primary Care (PC)
• Participates in PCMHI same day access clinic to facilitate patient outreach and engagement in mental health treatment
• Completes a functional assessment and initial 5-point screen
• Obtains a health history of referred patients: data collection includes lifestyle patterns - pain issues - sleep/activity levels - support systems - cultural - social - and ethnic factors - patient treatment preferences and goals
• Assesses - reviews - develops - maintains - and monitors Veteran specific plans of care - collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient outcomes are reported and validated
• Assess and screens for suicidal risk to ensure veterans at risk for suicide are provided appropriate suicide prevention interventions that ensure veteran safety
• Collaborates with PCMHI team members - other VA healthcare services - and community care services for veteran care coordination
• Participates in a weekly caseload consultation with PCMHI provider with prescribing privileges
• Entry of all Veterans receiving PCMHI CoCM into a registry (e.g. -Behavioral Health Lab software)
• Conducts assessments of mental health symptoms using a set of validated evidenced based assessment tools to measure progress toward treatment goals and outcomes
• Provides education and brief behavioral health interventions using evidence-based techniques such as behavioral health coaching - behavioral activation - motivational interviewing - and other focused treatment strategies
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications prescribed for patients with mental health conditions - including patient responses and possible adverse reaction
• Demonstrates knowledge of current treatment for mental and behavioral health conditions - including key symptoms and patient manifestations Conducts relapse prevention planning throughout care - including transition from active treatment to maintenance as goals are achieve
• Effectively communicate with patients - families - caregivers - VA leadership - and members of the interdisciplinary team using therapeutic communication techniques - practices de-escalation techniques - and utilizes recovery-oriented language
• Collaborates with PCMHI leadership/team members to develop/enhance educational materials and use marketing strategies to promote PCMHI CoCM services
• Continuously collaborate with the PCMHI team to ensure high quality - effective - Veteran-centered services at the patient and programmatic levels
• Knowledge of mental health/substance use long-acting injectable medications and procedures of administration-may provide injections infrequently
• Care management appointments with veterans may be conducted via telephone - video - or in person
• Assisting with triaging referrals for future scheduled appointments in PCMHI program via the E-consult process
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date
• Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program
• Contact [e-mail] for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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 8:00a.m.- 4:30p.m
• or 7:30a.m
• - 4:00p.m Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized