Registered Nurse - Mental Health Specialty Programs

Summary

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) for the Intensive Mental Health Recovery Program (ICMHR) Tuskegee, AL. The RN is responsible for clinically providing outpatient, community-based mental health (MH) services for a subgroup of Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI). The incumbent of this position must have a valid, state-issued driver's license.

Duties

The Registered Nurse (RN) - Intensive Mental Health Recovery Program (ICMHR) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to patients. The person in this role will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, patient assessment, recovery focused interventions, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and enhancement of patient outcomes. The ICMHR program provides clinical community-based case management services to Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI), severe functional impairment, and high Inpatient mental health unit utilization, in coordination with existing community and Veterans Affairs (VA) services. Duties include but not limited to: Responding to psychiatric and/or medical emergencies, as directed. Documenting nursing assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders and patient plans of care in accordance with facility policy and other governing regulatory bodies. Maintaining professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the Veteran. Demonstrating the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities, demonstrating proficient practice and decision-making, deliberate planning, and critical thinking skills. Completion of required documentation in accordance with VHA, TJC, CARF regulatory standards and serves as a team leader and case manager for an assigned panel of patients. Supports the mission and vision of the agency/facility/service. Provides education and counseling on disease prevention, health promotion, and medication management; ensures safe handling and ongoing compliance of patients with medication administration. Independently provides patient-centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with mental health conditions. Actively participates in care coordination, liaising with inpatient mental health units to facilitate continuity of care, mental health interdisciplinary treatment team huddles and meetings. Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Demonstrates expertise in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations that effect performance outcomes at the point of care. Demonstrates leadership and collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources. Demonstrates critical thinking with efficiency and accuracy in assessing and managing situations. 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: Full Time, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (extended hours as needed, schedule subject to change based on agency needs.) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. A drug test is required for this position; and the position is subject to random drug testing. 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.

Education

Please make sure your Resume/CV includes the School of which you earned your degree to include city and state, type of degree earned, as well as the date your degree was conferred (month, day, and year) so your education can be verified. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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 08/31/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13039650. 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: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field Resume: You are encouraged to build your resume using the Resume Builder on www.USAJobs.gov, but if you choose to use your own résumé, then you must describe your job-related qualifications that include beginning and ending dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2009) for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed. If not provided, we cannot assume your work experience is full time, part-time, intermittent, etc. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your work experience in detail. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. SF 50, Notification for Personnel Action (APPLICABLE ONLY TO CURRENT PERMANENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES): You must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). SF50 must include (at a minimum) position title, tenure, grade, step and salary. SF50 must be dated within the previous 12 months. Do not submit PERFORMANCE AWARD SF50s. 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 CV/Resume Other (2) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Transcript(s): Official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Transcript must include, at a minimum, student's name, name and location of college/university, courses/credits hours; date of degree and degree granted, as applicable. If selected, you may be required to submit the official transcript. Do not submit copies of your degree, as they will not be considered. 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.