Psych Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

Job Description – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Department: Nursing/Behavioral Health

Direct Report to: Medical Director or assigned Psychiatrist

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

All Candidates must be licensed by the State of Texas with no stipulations. The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will be responsible for the care and needs of patients in an acute psychiatric hospital. The Practitioner will be responsible for performing comprehensive examinations, Psychiatric evaluations, and daily rounding on mental health units, including geri-psych. NP will be responsible for conducting the initial patient evalutation for intake. NP prescribes medication and medication treatment interventions consistent with patient’s needs. NP must be able to work with a team and complete tasks including; Coordinating and communicating treatments, medical plans, and records to other parts of the behavioral health team, ordering and administering diagnostic, medical histories and requirements including prescription needs, and primary care needs for incoming patients. The NP must be able to perform all duties independently and use safe practice standards according to the Nurse Practice Act.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing

MSN with psychiatric focus in mental health

At least 2 years prior experience as Psychiatric NP preferably with geriatric experience

Certified BLS provider obtained within 1 month prior to hire

Licensed to practice medicine in the state within which the site is located

Must have current state and federal DEA certification

Must obtain X-waiver license in order to prescribe Suboxone/Subutex

Ability to maintain strict client confidentiality and HIPAA compliance

Ability to work as a member of a team

Professional appearance, aptitude, and attitude

Impeccable ethics, integrity, and customer relations skills

Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills

Computer literacy and ability to use an EMR

Knowledge of “best practices” behavioral medicine treatment delivery and methodologies

Sound clinical judgment and decision-making skills

Ability to understand the requirements of the clientele

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Adherence to facility policy and procedures, State & Federal law, and Joint Commission accreditation regulations and standards

Provide initial patient psychiatric evaluation

Provide patient approval into facility with diagnosis for treatment

Provides direct medical care to patients, including routine rounds on the unit

Provides episodic, preventive, and psychiatric care to patients

Conducts histories and evaluations and prescribes medications and/or medical treatments based on best practice standards

Develops treatment plans in collaboration with medical treatment team as well as with patients and patient’s families; educates and advises on medical issues as needed

Provides referrals both internally and externally to appropriate medical resource or specialty

Evaluates the effectiveness of medical care and monitors progress of patients

Identifies emergency situations and provides care within legal scope of practice and as defined by privileging process

Participates in the development of health center goals and objectives

Maintains medical records in accordance with Facility’ s policies

Provides overall responsibility for the care of patients seen in the mental health units in the absence of the Medical Leader

Whereas, the medical director or designee will be available at all times for immediate consultation

Seeks guidance and remains knowledgeable of, and complies with, all applicable federal and state laws as well as regulations and hospital policies that apply to assigned duties

Complies with hospital expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct

Complies with federal and hospital requirements in the areas of protected health information and patient privacy