Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health - Caregiver Support Program

Veterans Affairs$85K — $100K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Registered Nurse with current, unrestricted license in a U.S. state
  • Graduate from an accredited professional nursing program
  • Two years of specialized nursing experience in care coordination or caregiver support preferred
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nursing preferred
  • Knowledge of VA healthcare and community resources

Responsibilities

  • Provide evidence-based clinical services and education to Veterans and caregivers
  • Conduct comprehensive health assessments to identify needs and implement interventions
  • Manage crisis situations and develop crisis management plans for Veterans
  • Coordinate services and application processes for comprehensive caregiver support programs
  • Collaborate with community healthcare organizations and VA programs
  • Advocate for Veteran and caregiver-centered care through education and consultation
  • Participate in quality improvement activities and evaluate clinical outcomes

Benefits

  • 50 days of paid time off annually (including sick leave and federal holidays)
  • Traditional federal pension and 401K with VA contributions
  • Federal health/dental/vision/life insurance options
  • Eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
  • Professional development and training opportunities
Full Job Description
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

Help

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 [redacted] for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • 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

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.)


Preferred Experience:

  • Two years of specialized experience as a Registered Nurse in care coordination, case management, community care or caregiver support program.
  • Bachelors of Science in Nursing
  • Masters of Science in Nursing


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/[redacted].

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

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.

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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Veterans Affairs

More Healthcare Jobs

Find similar Registered Nurse - Outpatient Mental Health - Caregiver Support Program jobs: