Become a Lead Nurse Anesthetist with the Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently recruiting a dedicated Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist) to work at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This position represents a vital opportunity for a qualified CRNA to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to service members and their families. If you are looking to advance your nursing career within a prestigious federal healthcare system, this role offers both clinical challenge and the reward of serving those who serve our country.
Job Responsibilities
In this role, you will serve as a key member of the surgical and anesthesia multidisciplinary team. Primary responsibilities include:
- Anesthesia Administration: Safely delivering anesthesia during various surgical and medical procedures.
- Patient Assessment: Conducting thorough medical record reviews to prepare for perioperative procedures.
- Monitoring: Observing patient vital signs to identify critical changes and ensuring stability during procedures.
- Stabilization: Discriminating between normal and abnormal findings to implement treatments that stabilize patients for transport to ICU or PACU settings.
- Leadership: Mentoring students, ancillary staff, and other CRNAs in both clinical and administrative practices.
Requirements
To qualify for this position, applicants must satisfy strict criteria:
- Education: Graduate degree from an accredited nurse anesthesia program.
- Licensure: Current, active, and unrestricted RN license plus an active anesthesia specialty license.
- Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience specifically in anesthesia administration.
- Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen.
Qualifications Comparison
| Qualification Area | Requirement Status |
|---|---|
| U.S. Citizenship | Mandatory |
| Education | Graduate Level (Anesthesia) |
| License | Active/Unrestricted (RN & Specialty) |
| Experience | 1+ Years Professional Anesthesia |
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive salary range of $109,816 to $142,764 per year, depending on qualifications and locality pay. The DHA is committed to attracting top-tier talent and may offer recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
Benefits
Federal employees with the DHA enjoy a robust benefits package, including:
- Access to comprehensive federal health insurance.
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- Paid annual and sick leave.
- Opportunities for professional development and inter-agency growth.
Application Tips
To maximize your chances of selection, keep your resume concise—it must not exceed two pages. Ensure you explicitly detail your clinical experience, including start and end dates and the number of hours worked per week. Always verify that your documentation, such as transcripts and licenses, is included before hitting submit, as missing items will disqualify your application.
Serving as a Nurse Anesthetist at Fort Belvoir offers a unique blend of high-level clinical practice and service to our nation's military community. We encourage all qualified applicants to review the full details on USAJOBS and submit their applications before the September deadline to secure their consideration.
Why This Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist) Job Matters
Join a world-class team at the Defense Health Agency and deliver critical anesthesia care to those who serve our nation at Fort Belvoir.
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist) Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is seeking a highly skilled Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist) to join the clinical team at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In this role, you will play a vital part in a large-scale integrated healthcare system, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based anesthesia services and patient stabilization. This position is perfect for dedicated professionals committed to clinical excellence and supporting the medical readiness of service members, retirees, and their families.
Requirements for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist)
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Graduate degree from an accredited professional nursing program in Anesthesia.
- Current, active, full, and unrestricted RN license in a U.S. state, D.C., Puerto Rico, or territory.
- Current, active, full, and unrestricted license in the specialty of Anesthesia.
- Successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination.
- One or more years of professional nursing experience in anesthesia, including administering anesthesia, medical record review, and vital sign monitoring.
- Ability to pass a drug test.
- Completion of a one-year probationary period.
Preferred Qualifications for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist)
- Demonstrated expertise in interpreting complex diagnostic data and stabilizing patients for transport.
- Experience providing clinical instruction and oversight to students and ancillary staff.
- Strong collaboration skills for working in multidisciplinary surgical teams.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options.
- ✓Competitive salary with locality pay adjustments.
- ✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
- ✓Professional growth through the Defense Health Agency's integrated system.
- ✓Standard federal leave and retirement benefits.
💡 How to Apply Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Anesthetist) Job
- Log in to your USAJOBS account.
- Review the full announcement details and documentation requirements.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, highlighting specialized experience.
- Complete the online questionnaire via the USA Staffing link.
- Upload required transcripts, licenses, and certifications.
- Submit your complete application package before the closing date of September 3, 2026.
💡 General Tips
- Your resume must not exceed two pages; longer resumes will be automatically excluded.
- Ensure your resume includes clear start/end dates (month/year) and hours worked per week for each role.
- Avoid using acronyms; write clearly so that HR specialists can easily understand your clinical experience.
- Submit all required documents, including transcripts and professional licenses, to avoid being marked as incomplete.
- Monitor your application status through the USAJOBS dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a security clearance required for this position?
No, a security clearance is not required for this role, though it is designated as a non-sensitive/low-risk position subject to suitability and fitness adjudication.
Can I substitute education for the required clinical experience?
No. For this specific position, you must demonstrate the required years of specialized professional experience; education cannot be substituted for this experience.
What is the closing date for this application?
The application window closes on September 3, 2026.
Is relocation assistance provided?
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, though Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not currently authorized.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency is the backbone of healthcare within the Department of Defense. Operating as an integrated health system, the DHA provides comprehensive medical, dental, and pharmacy services to over 9.5 million uniformed service members and their families. By joining the team at Fort Belvoir, you are becoming part of a global network dedicated to building readiness, supporting the Joint Force, and delivering world-class care, anytime and anywhere.