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Registered Nurse - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

US Veterans Health Administration

Tucson, Arizona

$88k–$158k/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 28, 2026 · Last seen active Sep 2, 2026

What this means for you

US Veterans Health Administration is hiring for its own floors — no agency between you and the manager. The posted pay pencils out to roughly $88k–$158k a year. It's a day shift — the busiest hours, the fullest crew, and your evenings back.

What the listing says

Base pay
$88k–$158k/yr
Shift
Days
EHR & union
Union position

About this role

Show full description
Summary This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within 4 months of your start date. Approval award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VHA. ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. 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 First consideration will be given to SAVAHCS Employees. SF-50 must be submitted as proof of current employment. If SF-50 is not submitted, you will not be given consideration. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Duties The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Collaborative Care Manager (CoCM) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. The PCMHI CoCM will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. The PCMHI CoCM provides evidence-based, condition specific (e.g., depression), protocol-driven services to collaboratively assist Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) providers in treating common Mental Health (MH) and health behavior concerns in Primary Care (PC). PCMHI CoCM services include patient education, activation, behavioral interventions, monitoring of medication adherence and response, as well as other protocol-driven services. These services are provided in the outpatient PC setting utilizing all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. The PCMHI CoCM participates in patient outreach and engagement in proper treatment. Assesses, reviews, develops, maintains, and monitors Veteran specific plans of care, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient outcomes are reported and validated. Participates in caseload consultation with team members. Provides education and brief interventions using evidence based techniques such as behavioral activation, motivational interviewing, and other focused treatment strategies. The PCMHI CoCM conducts relapse prevention planning throughout care, including transition from active treatment to maintenance as goals are achieved. Effectively communicate with patients, families, caregivers, VA leadership, and members of the interdisciplinary team using therapeutic communication techniques, practices de-escalation techniques, and utilizes recovery-oriented language. Collaborates with PCMHI leadership/team members to develop/enhance educational materials and use marketing strategies to promote PCMHI CoCM services. Continuously collaborate with the PCMHI team to ensure high quality, effective, Veteran-centered services at the patient and programmatic levels. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care. 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, 07:30am - 16:00pm or 08:00am - 16:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : 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 evaluation. • 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. 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/13049323. 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: 2 years of outpatient mental health experience required. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided. Additional information This job opportunity announcement…

Skills for this role

Relapse prevention strategiesCare plan evaluationPatient monitoringIndividual crisis managementHealth educationMedication adherence supportDe-escalation techniquesConflict de-escalationDrug therapy monitoringNurse case managementCounseling interventionsHealth status assessment

Requirements

  • RN
  • Background check
  • Relapse prevention strategies
  • Customer communication
  • Care plan evaluation
  • Nursing
  • Doctoral degree
  • Patient monitoring
  • Individual crisis management

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 Tucson, AZ

Tucson blends desert beauty with a laid-back college-town spirit, framed by the Santa Catalina Mountains to the north and Saguaro National Park on its fringes. Neighborhoods like Fourth Avenue buzz with local shops and nightlife, while historic Barrio Libre preserves adobe architecture. The city attracts nurses seeking affordable Southwestern living and abundant outdoor recreation year-round.

Map showing the location of Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ on the map · © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap· Open the live map
Metro price level · Tucson area
3% below the national average
BEA index 96.9 (100 = national)
Median gross rent
$1,145/mo
rent and tenant-paid utilities
Median household income
$57,073/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 Tucson

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, call, 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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