Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health - Caregiver Support Program

Summary

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHCS) is seeking an experienced RN for the Caregiver Support Program (CSP), located at either the Santa Maria or San Luis Obispo CBOC. The RN coordinates Veteran and caregiver care, education, and resources; supports PCAFC and PGCSS; assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care; and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes and manage complex care needs.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides evidence-based clinical services, interventions, education, and consultation to Veterans, caregivers, and families participating in the Caregiver Support Program (CSP). Demonstrates expert leadership and creative approaches in managing Veterans and caregivers with complex clinical and psychosocial needs. Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify Veteran and caregiver needs, concerns, supports, and appropriate interventions. Performs rapid assessments and develops crisis management plans to maintain Veterans safely at home or facilitate acute, short-term, or long-term placement when appropriate. Conducts required home visits and provides assessments and follow-up by telephone, Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT), in-person visits, and other approved modalities. Coordinates the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) application process from initiation through completion. Coordinates CSP services, including visits, referrals, caregiver demographics, equipment utilization, and Veteran and caregiver satisfaction. Provides referrals and consultations for VA healthcare, community social services, and federal, state, local, and non-VA programs and resources. Assists Veterans, caregivers, and families in navigating complex VA, government, and community programs and processes. Develops collaborative relationships with VA programs, community healthcare organizations, social service agencies, and caregiver resources. Maintains advanced knowledge of services, benefits, and resources available to Veterans and caregivers through VA, government, community, and private-sector programs. Collaborates with the interprofessional team to coordinate resources, services, and benefits to improve Veteran and caregiver outcomes. Applies advanced clinical knowledge in assessment, health restoration, wellness promotion, illness prevention, and coping facilitation. Advocates for Veteran- and caregiver-centered care through education, consultation, care coordination, and collaboration with healthcare providers. Develops individualized educational plans based on identified healthcare and support needs of Veterans and caregivers. Develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to promote appropriate utilization of CSP services. Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of CSP policies, procedures, guidelines, and initiatives. Participates in quality improvement activities and evaluates clinical outcomes, program effectiveness, and evidence-based practice changes. Collects, analyzes, documents, and reports program data and outcomes to local management, VISN leadership, National CSP, and appropriate VA program offices. Serves as a clinical resource to nursing peers and interdisciplinary teams through education, consultation, knowledge sharing, and feedback. Supports professional development and promotes a safe environment focused on high-quality nursing care. Provides coverage for CSP staff and supports clinical programming and daily program operations as assigned. Ensures CSP activities support local facility requirements and VA Central Office CSP initiatives. Travels to Veterans' homes, CBOCs, and community locations to provide assessments, caregiver support, outreach, and care coordination; operates or rides in government-owned/GSA vehicles as required. 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 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/11/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055078. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.