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Mental Health Registered Nurse_Intermittent

US Veterans Health Administration

San Diego, California

$104k–$188k/yr

Posted pay

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace

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US Veterans Health Administration workplace
RN

Posted Aug 14, 2026 · Last seen active Aug 15, 2026

What this means for you

US Veterans Health Administration is hiring for its own floors — no agency between you and the manager. It's a day shift — the busiest hours, the fullest crew, and your evenings back.

What the listing says

Base pay
$104k–$188k/yr
Shift
Days
Weekends, holidays, call
Intermittent (on-call)
EHR & union
Union position

About this role

Show full description
Summary The VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) is a Level 1a major interdisciplinary teaching healthcare system, offering a variety of Inpatient and Outpatient services to Veterans at the medical center in La Jolla and at the six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Chula Vista, Escondido, Imperial Valley, Kearny Mesa, Oceanside, Sorrento Valley, and Rio Clinic. The VASDHS provides high quality care with advanced technologies and a compassionate service to Veterans. Learn more about this agency This job is open to The public U. S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S. Clarification from the agency NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Duties 1. Functioning as a team member, care coordinator, team leader or unit charge nurse for assigned area as determined by Nurse Manager or designee. 2. Assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care based on age-specific components. 3. Performing required admission and ongoing Screenings, Clinical Reminders, Risk Assessment while evaluating and initiating appropriate interventions. 4. Assuming responsibility, as appropriate, for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management prior to and after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. 5. Considering all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. 6. Demonstrating effective interpersonal skills and therapeutic interventions/communication with patients. 7. Administering medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. 8. Influencing care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. 9. Understanding core elements of performance improvement include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. 10. Performing Nursing Admission Assessments and initiating nursing based mental health treatment plans. 11. Conducting data collections, chart audits and taking remedial actions as indicated or directed by nursing leadership. 12. Participating in Code Green/ Code Blue/Code Red Team activities. 13. Other responsibilities include any duties as defined by VHA or local directives such as assisting with the completion of outstanding or required Clinical Reminders and Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale (C-SSRS)/or SI evaluation as indicated, Suicide Behavior and Overdose Reports (SBOR), and Safety Plans as they become due, needed, or indicated per Veteran's need. 14. Maintaining a Pro-ACT Certification (Acute & Intensive MH Programs only) and PMDB (level as defined by leadership). 15. Completing duties within the Inpatient Mental Health Unit and RRTPs. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: Intermittent position, not available Retirement: not available Insurance: not available Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Intermittent (on-call) Compressed/Flexible: N/A Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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.) 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/13039782. 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 Experiences: 2-3 years Acute Mental Health experience in last 5 years 1-2 years Residential Mental Health Experience in last 5 years BSN preferred Active BLS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive…

Skills for this role

Patient CareCharge NurseCode Blue

Certifications

BLS

Requirements

  • Background check
  • Health screenings
  • Safety assessments for crisis intervention support
  • Nursing
  • Patient resource coordination
  • Inpatient experience
  • Doctoral degree
  • Case assessment

About the employer

US Veterans Health Administration
Hospital

The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the healthcare arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, operating as the nation's largest integrated healthcare system serving America's veterans. The Seattle, Washington (98108) location is part of this federal healthcare network, which…

3.7 Google rating
US Veterans Health Administration workplaceUS Veterans Health Administration workplaceUS Veterans Health Administration workplace

What reviewers appreciate

  • Noble and mission-driven work serving veterans and their families
  • Clear core values (I CARE: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) guiding all interactions
  • Interdisciplinary team collaboration model

What reviewers flag

  • Tiered hiring preference limits external applicant opportunities, with first consideration given to current permanent VA employees
  • Strict educational and experience requirements (BSN with 2 years or MSN with 1 year specialized experience) may create barriers to entry
  • Federal hiring process may be slower and more bureaucratic than private sector
mission-drivenveteran-focusedintegritycommitmentadvocacyrespect

Living in San Diego, CA

San Diego pairs year-round beach weather with a laid-back outdoor lifestyle that makes it easy to trade scrubs for surfboards after a shift. Balboa Park offers trails and museums, while neighborhoods like Hillcrest give nurses walkable dining and nightlife options.

Map showing the location of San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map
Metro price level · San Diego area
12% above the national average
BEA index 111.9 (100 = national)
Median gross rent
$2,313/mo
rent and tenant-paid utilities
Median household income
$108,077/yr
all local households, not nurse pay

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024

Browse open roles in San Diego

On your path

Psychiatric is open from year one. Behavioral health spans inpatient, emergency, and community settings.

Worth asking

The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.

  • Can you walk me through the differentials?
  • What should I expect for weekly hours, weekend, holiday, and rotation?
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
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