Clinical Nurse Specialist

Summary

Open continuous announcement for an Advanced Practice Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health Service at the Cincinnati VHA. The need is in Dearborn and Clermont CBOC Locations, but strong applicants for the main campus may also be considered. The first round of applicants will be reviewed on 3/11/2026 and thereafter as needed. The 2‑page resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series.

Refer to the Required Documents section for more information.

Cincinnati, Ohio;
Dearborn and Clermont CBOC Locations. Cincinnati is a family‑friendly, affordable metropolitan city with a vibrant cultural scene, parks, fine arts, a strong culinary scene, and sports. The region offers a range of attractions and a comfortable cost of living.

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave + 13 days sick leave + 11 paid federal holidays).
• Traditional federal pension with 5‑year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Comprehensive federal benefits: health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance.
• Full and unrestricted licensure from any U.S. state or territory required.

• Provide advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management in Mental Health Service.
• Conduct practice to the full extent of education, training, and certification.
• Prescribe medication and develop individualized patient plans.
• Prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by position.
• Independently manage a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention using evidence‑based practice.
• Develop and implement individualized plans to achieve optimal population health and disease management.
• Demonstrate leadership and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Order and interpret labs, tests, and diagnostic studies.
• Prescribe pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic interventions.
• Make appropriate referrals for patients and families.
• Initiate referrals/consults to specialty services.
• Provide education to patients and their families.
• Assess and adjust the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Exemplify the ICARE core values:
  Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.
• Accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS) for supervision.

• Day shift schedule.
• No telework or virtual work available.
• Relocation incentives not authorized;
  Permanent Change of Station (PCS) not authorized.

• Full and unrestricted advanced practice nurse license from any U.S. state or territory.
• Advanced Practice Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) education, training, and certification.
• Experience managing a panel of patients with acute and chronic mental health conditions.
• Proficiency in evidence‑based practice, patient plan development, and implementation.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership skills.
• Prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by position.