Duties
Discover Temple, Texas- a vibrant Central Texas gem nestled along I-35, minutes from lakes, trail-blessed hills, and cultural hotspots. Dive into history at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, unwind beside Lake Belton, enjoy top-notch arts at the Symphony and Civic Theatre, or savor downtown's boutiques, foodie spots, and local vineyards. With big-market amenities and small-town soul, Temple delivers surprising charm at every turn.
Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center in Temple is a high-complexity, full-service VA teaching hospital- 189 beds, advanced rehab, hospice, trauma care, domiciliary, and memory care- backed by 32-county coverage. Rich in history (established 1942, renamed 1979) and research initiatives, it delivers expert, compassionate care across specialties from cardiology to mental health, with strong ties to Texas A&M and robust training programs.
Nurse 1, Level 1 - Entry Level: Delivers fundamental nursing care under close supervision, focusing on learning clinic processes, VA policies, and mental health protocols. Performs basic assessments, documents findings, administers medications, and supports therapeutic activities. Collaborates with team members to implement established care plans, reinforces patient education, and assists in monitoring treatment response. Actively engages in orientation, training, and mentoring to build competency in mental health nursing and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Nurse 1, Level 2: Functions with greater independence, performing comprehensive assessments and contributing to individualized care planning. Administers treatments and medications, provides patient education, and coordinates with the care team to ensure continuity. Demonstrates growing skill in crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, and recovery-oriented care. Participates in team conferences, quality improvement efforts, and evidence-based practice application. Continues to refine clinical judgment while seeking guidance for complex situations.
Nurse 1, Level 3: Operates with minimal supervision, managing a panel of patients in the Mental Health Clinic. Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans. Coordinates services across disciplines, delivers complex interventions, and engages in proactive health promotion. Provides leadership in clinic workflows, mentors junior staff, and contributes to program improvement initiatives. Demonstrates effective decision-making in mental health crises, ensures regulatory compliance, and promotes a recovery-focused environment.
Nurse 2: Serves as an experienced, independent practitioner, leading care coordination for complex mental health cases. Conducts advanced assessments, initiates evidence-based interventions, and integrates specialty services. Acts as a resource for clinical decision-making, quality improvement, and staff education. Participates in policy development, champions trauma-informed care, and facilitates interdepartmental collaboration. Manages program initiatives, monitors outcomes, and ensures best practices are maintained across the clinic.
Nurse 3: Functions as a clinical leader and subject matter expert in mental health nursing. Provides consultation to providers, staff, and leadership on complex patient care issues. Designs, implements, and evaluates innovative care models and quality improvement programs. Mentors and trains nursing staff at all levels, supports research and evidence-based practice projects, and influences policy at the service and facility level. Serves as a liaison for community partnerships and leads initiatives to optimize Veteran mental health outcome
Bargaining Unit Status: This position is not part of the bargaining unit.
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, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/25/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12783139.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.