Registered Nurse - Chief Nurse of Mental Health and Emergency Department

The Chief Nurse of Mental Health and Emergency Department (Nurse IV) holds a vital executive leadership role, providing substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for integrated programs impacting the health care mission across service lines. As a key member of the nursing executive leadership team, the Chief Nurse offers visionary administrative and clinical guidance, ensuring the highest standards of patient-centered care.

Major duties: This position reports directly to the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS) and provides direct supervision for Nurse Managers and staff in designated areas. Serve as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor within the Mental Health and Emergency Department (MH/ED) Care Line, leveraging wide-ranging experience and leadership ability. Provide senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative nursing operations, as directed by the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS).

Deliver administrative oversight and direction for all programs within the service line, ensuring compliance with VHA guidelines and nursing regulations. Support and promote integration and collaboration among nursing and interdisciplinary teams in pursuit of organizational and patient care goals. Champion High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles by fostering a culture of safety, systems-based problem solving, and collective mindfulness.

Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary team members and leaders across the facility and VA network, establishing and maintaining strong professional relationships. Engage with customers, families, the community, and local and network leaders to ensure alignment and quality in all aspects of care. Assist the ADPCS in healthcare operations, supporting the development and implementation of standards of care, policies, and objectives to enhance nursing services.

Provide supervision for Nurse Managers and staff within assigned areas, ensuring high performance and professional development. 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 Pay Scale: NU45 Work Schedule: Administrative Day Tour of Duty 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. 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 evaluation/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.