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Posted: February 13, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Pract-Clinical/Psychiatric)

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$177,442 - $222,642

per year

Closes

February 25, 2026More DOD jobs →

GS-11 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric and behavioral health care at a military medical center in San Diego, California.

The role involves diagnosing mental health conditions, conducting evaluations, prescribing medications, and providing comprehensive care to patients in need of these services.

It's a great fit for experienced psychiatric nurses who enjoy working in a structured military healthcare environment and have a passion for helping service members and their families with mental health issues.

Key Requirements

  • Graduate or higher degree in nursing from an accredited program, with specialization in psychiatric or behavioral health
  • Current, active, full, and unrestricted license as a professional nurse from a U.S. state or territory
  • Additional licensure or registration as an Advanced Practice Nurse in the psychiatric clinical specialty
  • Passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
  • At least one year of professional nursing experience diagnosing psychiatric illnesses, performing psychiatric evaluations, and prescribing medications for behavioral health patients
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Relevant experience equivalent to GS-10 level in federal service

Full Job Description

About the Position: This position is located at Defense Health Network Pacific Rim, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA Directorate of Behavioral Health Mental Health.

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service. Advanced Leave Accrual may be authorized.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below.

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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical/Psychiatric): Education A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required.

This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(external link), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs(external link), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education(external link), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained.

Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (external link) is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Advanced Practice Nurse Positions: For Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) positions, applicants must possess a graduate or higher level degree in nursing from an accredited educational program in the area of expertise or specialty indicated by the position.

Areas of specialties for positions include, but are not limited to, Acute Care, Anesthesia, Community Health, Family, Geriatric, Home Health, Midwifery, Neonatal, Oncology, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Allergy and Immunology, Women's Health, Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Occupational Health, Orthopedic, Respiratory, or other specialties identified for the position.

LicensureFor all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination(external link).

In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Additional License Requirements for Advanced Practice Nurse Positions: Applicants for Advanced Practice Nurse positions must be licensed or registered by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States in the clinical specialty required by the position.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Professional Nursing Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience which includes (1) diagnosing psychiatric illnesses for beneficiaries needing psychiatric/behavioral health services; and (2) performing psychiatric evaluations to assess psychiatric/behavioral patients; and (3) prescribing medications to patients with psychiatric/behavioral health needs.

This definition of professional nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). Major Duties:

  • Perform full range of advanced practice nursing care duties for patients requiring psychiatric/behavioral health services.
  • Evaluate new patient and existing patients on behavioral health/psychiatric needs.
  • Implement mutually agreed upon solutions regarding behavioral health.
  • Educate patients about risks and benefits of prescribed medications.
  • Observe patients closely, evaluate and record any significant behavior and reaction patterns.
  • Comply with all appropriate Joint Commission standards and National Patient Safety goals, and other quality improvement projects.
  • Maintain appropriate records using a computerized record keeping and coding system.
  • Participate in the quality improvement system.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/13/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/14/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: HSJG-26-12879123-DHA