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Posted: February 23, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Registered Nurse-Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Services-EDRP

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$77,694 - $133,783

per year

Closes

February 27, 2026More VA jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a registered nurse working in intensive community mental health recovery services at a VA hospital in El Paso, Texas, where you'll provide hands-on care and support to veterans recovering from mental health challenges in community settings.

It's ideal for nurses passionate about mental health who want to help veterans rebuild their lives while benefiting from student loan repayment up to $200,000.

Good fits include those with nursing experience in behavioral health and a commitment to patient-centered care.

Key Requirements

  • Proficiency in basic written and spoken English
  • Graduation from an approved school of professional nursing (e.g., accredited by ACEN or CCNE)
  • Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a U.S. state, territory, or D.C.
  • Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing for entry-level (Nurse I, Level I)
  • Demonstrated knowledge-based care and technical competencies in nursing practice
  • Eligibility for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) with application within four months of hire

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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.) HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements.

Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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/12895033.

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. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year RN experience working with mental health populations.

A minimum of one year experience in RN Case Management.

Previous experience providing community-based mental health nursing or intensive case management services to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI).

Skilled in crises intervention and managing acute psychiatric symptoms in outpatient or community settings.

Experience working within interdisciplinary teams Experience working with Veteran or military populations Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.

Major Duties:

The Nurse III Outpatient Behavioral Health (BH) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve Veteran and organizational outcomes.

The psychiatric BH RN executes their position duties by providing patient-centered, recovery-oriented principles, telemental health, community-based care, and self-awareness when caring for Veterans living with BH conditions.

The BH RN actively engages in interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings, uses therapeutic communication techniques, de-escalation practices, recovery-oriented language, and educates Veterans, their families, and significant others on illnesses, medications, and treatment plans.

The BH RN assists and/or directs safety concern resolution and collaborates with program leadership to help improve Veteran and program outcomes, liaising with Inpatient BH Units, develops content as well as facilitates nurse-led psychoeducational groups, and directs teams response to psychiatric and medical emergencies.

The BH RN documents assessments, risk screens, measurement-based care tools, clinical reminders, and Veteran care plans following facility policy, maintaining professional boundaries and acting in the Veteran's best interest.

The registered nurse in the behavioral health team collaborates within interdisciplinary treatment teams to care for outpatient behavioral health Veterans, and may work or be assigned in specialty service teams such as New Patient Access Team (NPAT), Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Hospital Liaison, Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery (ICMHR), Housing and Urban Development- VA Supportive Housing (HUDVASH).

The RN who works/assigned to ICMHR and Hudvash programs must have a current, valid, unrestricted drivers license and the ability to operate a GSA vehicle for community home visits, minimal transportation of veterans if needed and outreach activities.

Behavioral health services provides the following services to include group programming, evidence-based treatments, tele-mental health, medication management, case management/ Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC), counseling for couples and families, psychological assessment, and other behavioral health services.

The RN demonstrates leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in assessing, treatment planning, and case managing complex behavioral health needs of Veterans. Other duties as assigned.

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, 08:00am-04:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for EDRP incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov , for questions/assistance.

Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/24/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CAZM-12895033-26-WI