Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) - Mental Health BHIP

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) specializing in Mental Health to join the Behavioral Health Integrated Practice (BHIP) team at North Battlefield VA Clinic in Chesapeake County, Virginia. This position offers the opportunity to provide comprehensive mental health care to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness, utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities including psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and other clinical interventions.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a standard Monday through Friday schedule from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telework and virtual work arrangements are not available. This position is not eligible for relocation or recruitment incentives.

Responsibilities

• Use advanced clinical judgment to independently provide evidence-based treatment to Veterans with acute or chronic mental illness
• Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications as part of comprehensive treatment plans
• Provide psychotherapy and other therapeutic modalities
• Deliver patient and family education on medical and mental health conditions, preventive measures, and prescribed treatments
• Assess and adjust plans of care to achieve optimal patient outcomes
• Counsel and treat patients with substance use disorders
• Order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnostic studies, and other clinical investigations
• Initiate referrals and consultations to specialty services as appropriate
• Demonstrate leadership and engage in collaboration with other mental health and specialty care professionals
• Involve Veterans and their families in treatment plan development when appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner from a school of professional nursing accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Applicants with post-master's certificates are also eligible. Foreign-educated graduates must have degree equivalency validated through an Agency-recognized evaluation service.
• Active, current, full, and unrestricted Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) license to practice in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia
• Full and current basic board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area of academic preparation
• U.S. citizenship or national status (non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited)
• English language proficiency in basic written and spoken communication
• Selective Service registration (males born after December 31, 1959)
• Willingness to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program or obtain a medical or religious exemption
• Successful completion of background and security investigation
• Successful urinalysis screening for illegal drug use

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of independent provider experience

Education and Licensure

Graduates of foreign nursing programs must have their nurse practitioner degree equivalency validated through an Agency-recognized evaluation service such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner master's or doctoral degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.

Note: Applicants pending completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all education requirements are met. Graduate Nurse Technicians without current licensure and certification may be appointed on a temporary basis for up to one year and one day while completing requirements.

Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The role involves potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $145,316 to $210,654 per year (VN 00 pay scale)
• Paid time off: 50 days annually (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution
• Insurance benefits can be carried into retirement
• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility: Up to $200,000 in student loan repayment assistance available to eligible candidates. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount, and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Conditions of Employment

• This is an excepted service position and does not confer competitive status
• Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination is a requirement for all VA health care personnel. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons require wearing a face mask. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service
• Selected applicants must complete an online onboarding process
• Acceptable forms of identification are required for pre-employment verification. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used as acceptable identification
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Pre-employment reference checks will be conducted

Application Requirements

To apply, submit a complete application package including:

• Resume (use the standard VA Clinical Resume Document provided, uploaded to the two-page restricted Resume field; full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation to the Other document field)
• Professional license documentation
• Professional certification documentation
• Transcript (if using education to qualify)
• Cover letter (optional)
• Other supporting documents as applicable

Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans should claim preference in the questionnaire (5-point, 10-point, or Sole Survivor Preference). Provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing dates and character of service. Disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference must submit an SF-15 with required proof.

The application deadline is 11:59 PM ET on September 8, 2026. This vacancy will close when 50 applications have been received, which may be sooner than the stated closing date.

Location

North Battlefield VA Clinic, Chesapeake County, Virginia