Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency

This is a 12-month residency program with a fall cohort starting September 2024.

• Clinical rotations on interprofessional teams (80% of experience)
• Integrated and parallel didactics and education (20% of experience)
• Resident selected quality improvement project

• Primary Care Mental Health Integration
• Substance Abuse Services
• Buprenorphine Clinic
• Interdisciplinary Pain Program
• Whole Health
• Mental Health Intensive Case Management and the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Center
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapy

• Regular interdisciplinary supervision with psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed independent clinical social workers
• Weekly group supervision 
• Grand rounds, VA trainings, and clinical case conferences. Opportunities for specialized trainings when available
• Journal clubs
• Regular psychiatry and psychotherapy didactics
• Opportunities for involvement in individual and group psychotherapy
• Weekly interprofessional education seminars with interdisciplinary trainees

• Competitive stipend: As of Academic Year 2023, stipend amount is : $78,777
•  A comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, federal holidays, and health benefits
• Hiring preference for open positions at Veterans Health Administration following successful completion of the residency

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Be a recent graduate of a master’s, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral-level Nurse Practitioner program accredited by CCNE or the ACEN within the past 12 months prior to program start date
• Possess current national board certification as a PMHNP Across the Lifespan through ANCC or be eligible to sit for board examination 
• Possess a current, full active and unrestrictive registration as a registered nurse AND nurse practitioner in a state, commonwealth, or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, prior to the start of the NPR program (exceptions may be made for highly qualified candidates with later graduation dates)
• Be serving in their first Nurse Practitioner role in the specialty area as the program focus (Mental Health)
• Current BLS certification (must be maintained throughout the entirety of the program)
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Background and security investigation required
• Provide evidence or self-certification of satisfactory physical condition based on a physical examination in the past 12-months
• Provide evidence or self-certification of up-to-date vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and VA https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html
• Random drug testing may be required

* August graduates may apply and will be considered, as long as certification is passed prior to program start. 

• Curriculum vitae (please include graduation date) 
• Unofficial or official transcripts are accepted for initial application. Please note: official transcripts are required upon selection.
• Copy of RN license and current BLS (and APRN license and ANCC board certification if already obtained)
• DD -214: submit if applicant is a Veteran
• Personal statement: maximum of two (2) pages: what personal, professional, educational, and clinical experiences have led you to choose nursing as a profession, and the role of a mental health nurse practitioner as a specialty practice? What are your goals and aspirations for this residency program and how do they fit with your early and long-term career goals?
• Three (3) letters of recommendation: School Faculty, Clinical Faculty, Preceptor, Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager, or other professional recommendation, emailed directly from individual writing letter to Michelle.Vankirk@VA.gov or in sealed envelope

Application materials may be emailed in a single file attachment directly to Michelle.VanKirk@VA.gov. Official transcripts may be submitted via email or mailed to:

Michelle Van Kirk, Mental Health Clinic Calkins Rd VA Outpatient Clinic

260 Calkins Rd

Rochester, NY 14620