Outpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: March 13, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
San Diego, California
Salary
$137,722 - $205,593
per year
Type
Full-Time
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This role involves a registered nurse overseeing and coordinating patient care across a Veterans Affairs hospital in San Diego, ensuring safe and effective treatment while directing staff and responding to health needs.
It requires handling day-to-day operations, especially in urgent situations, with a focus on leadership and quick decision-making.
Ideal candidates are experienced nurses who thrive in fast-paced, team-based environments and have a passion for serving veterans.
The Registered Nurse NOD functions to deliver and coordinate safe, efficient, and effective patient care throughout all areas of the facility.
Provides care and directs others in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems.
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: - Flexibility and adaptability to work in a rapidly changing environment, including working variable shifts.
- Minimum 3 years acute care clinical experience within the last 5 years with an in-depth knowledge of critical care. - Education: Masters prepared. - BLS/ACLS certified.
- Strong knowledge of relevant healthcare and clinical operations including information technology (preparing reports, MS Office Suite and computer knowledge), patient care workflows and processes.
- Strong leadership, fiscal, and operations management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, management, and staff from all points of entry.
- Demonstrate organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead a team, prioritize tasks, and see projects through from inception to completion.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions - Strong interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management and staff, consultants, and outside agencies.
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/12908284.
Grade/Level Scope Education 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: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, aged 18, to the older adult, aged 65 and over.
VALLHCS is an interdisciplinary facility serving medical, surgical, behavioral health, inpatient, outpatients, and residential treatment.
This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.
The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.
The incumbent will be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs. Major Duties:
Duties include but not limited to: The Nursing Officer of the Day (NOD) Registered Nurse (RN) directs position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to the management of complex patient care.
The NOD demonstrates the ability to plan and organize the delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning.
The NOD is skilled in the delivery of patient care and serves as the facility nursing expert at all hours to support, provide and facilitate emergency medical support throughout the facility.
The incumbent serves as the facility expert for all patient care areas in identifying escalating medical crises, environmental factors, and in allocating staffing resources appropriately throughout the facility to meet the care needs of Veterans.
The NOD uses clinical knowledge and judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes.
They function proficiently in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities.
Evaluates current practice and formulates out comes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within an area of expertise.
Guides, develops, and supports staff from a leadership perspective using professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities.
The NOD is a skilled nurse who demonstrates advanced leadership at the systems level that is sustainable, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex situations.
The NOD assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for managing and directing employees, staffing units, and allocating resources as necessary during weekends, holidays, and after-hours tours during the absence of nursing management/leadership.
The NOD is responsible for rounding and is a consultant to providers.
Collaborates with the Administrative Officer of the Day (AOD) and other members of the interdisciplinary team as needed for decisions related to on-going patient care and actions taken in emergency situations and disasters.
The NOD provides programmatic outcomes to nursing leadership to assist with improving organizational processes and the delivery of patient care.
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; 0630-1900, 1030-2300, 1830-0700 including weekends and holidays.
Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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