Mental Health Care

JUSTIN C. BENEDICT

APRN, PMHNP-CNP, DNP, DC

CAREER OBJECTIVE

To utilize my extensive experience and expertise as a patient-oriented Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Doctor of Chiropractic, combined with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, to contribute to the field of mental health care. My career objective is to secure a leadership position where I can effectively coordinate patient care, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and implement evidence-based practices with the view to optimizing patient outcomes and providing compassionate care for patients with mental health issues. I also aim to leverage my strong nursing management skills and prior experience as a Program Director and Director of Nursing to drive operational excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the healthcare industry. My goal is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychiatric care to diverse populations, advocate for mental health awareness, and contribute to policy and practice improvements. I seek a leadership role that allows me to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, implement innovative treatment strategies, and drive quality improvement initiatives to optimize patient outcomes and promote holistic mental wellness across the lifespan. EXPERIENCE

PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER – OSCAR PEREZ PYCHIATRY EL PASO, TEXAS, JULY 2024 – PRESENT

• Diagnose and treat several mental health and psychiatric issues, illnesses, and crises

• Provide psychotherapy

• Counsel patients with psychiatric problems

• Collaborate with other treatment providers to help individuals with complex psychiatric issues

• Gauge health care problems and referring to a medical specialist if necessary

• Educate patients on self-care practices

• Screen, diagnose, and provide care for people facing mental health and substance use disorders

• Work with primary care physicians and other health care professionals to coordinate care PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTIONER – RIO VISTA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EL PASO, TEXAS 79912, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 – PRESENT

• Diagnosing and treating severe psychiatric issues, illnesses, and crises

• Providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy

• Counseling patients with psychiatric problems

• Collaborating with other treatment providers to help individuals with complex psychiatric issues

• Gauging health care problems and referring to a medical specialist if necessary

• Educating patients on self-care practices

• Screening, diagnosing, and providing care for people facing mental health and substance use disorders

• Working with primary care physicians and other health care professionals to coordinate care PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTIONER – LA CLINICA DE FAMILIA LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO 88005, DECEMBER 18, 2023 – MARCH 2024

• Diagnosed and treated mental, psychiatric and behavioral issues, illnesses, and crises

• Counseled patients with psychiatric problems

• Collaborated with other treatment providers to help individuals with complex psychiatric issues

• Gauged health care problems and referring to a medical specialist if necessary

• Educated patients on self-care practices

• Screened, diagnosed, and provided care for people facing mental health and substance use disorders

• Worked with primary care physicians and other health care professionals to coordinate care PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTIONER – SENIOR PSYCHCARE LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO 88005, SEPTEMBER 04, 2023 – DECEMBER 18, 2023

• Diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions at several long-term care facilities in Las Cruces New Mexico

• Counseling patients with psychiatric problems

• Collaborating with other treatment providers to help individuals with complex psychiatric issues.

• Gauging health care problems and referring to a medical specialist if necessary

• Educating residents on self-care practices

• Screening, diagnosing, and providing care for people facing mental health disorders

• Working with primary care physicians and other health care professionals to coordinate care PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER – HARACEC COMPLETE HEALTH CARE EL PASO, TEXAS, JUNE 12, 2023 – SEPTEMBER 04, 2023

• Diagnosed and treated severe psychiatric issues, illnesses, and crises

• Provided individual, group, and family psychotherapy

• Counseled patients with psychiatric problems

• Collaborated with other treatment providers to help individuals with complex psychiatric issues

• Gauged health care problems and referring to a medical specialist if necessary

• Educated patients on self-care practices

• Screened, diagnosed, and provided care for people facing mental health and substance use disorders

• Worked with primary care physicians and other health care professionals to coordinate care PSYCHIATRIC REGISTERED NURSE, CHARGE NURSE — Rio Vista Behavioral Health El Paso, Texas, July 2023

• Acted as a key player in stand-up clinical meetings to communicate and identify patients’ status

• Trained and supervised nursing staff in proper patient care techniques

• Assisted in making nursing staff assignments based on patient acuity and competency of staff

• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care and ensure optimal outcomes

• Provided compassionate care to individuals with mental health issues while adhering to ethical standards and legal regulations

• Assisted in the implementation of individualized treatment plans for psychiatric patients, utilizing evidence-based practice guidelines

• Administered medications to patients per physician's orders PSYCHIATRIC REGISTERED NURSE, CHARGE NURSE — Rio Vista Behavioral Health El Paso, Texas, August 2017 - December 2019

• Worked closely with the interdisciplinary team, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists, to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients. Ensure that all interventions and therapies align with the patients’ needs and goals

• Acted as a key player in stand-up clinical meetings to communicate and identify patients’ status

• Trained, oriented, and supervised nursing staff in proper patient care techniques

• Developed discharge plans for discharged patients that included follow-up appointments and referrals for additional services as needed

• Facilitated group therapy sessions focused on helping participants learn about themselves and develop healthy relationships

DIRECTOR OF EXTENDED OBSERVATION UNIT (EOU) — Emergence Health Network El Paso, Texas, November 2019 - March 2020

• Collaborated closely with the Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Crisis and Emergency Services in order to align objectives across business units

• Managed development of strategic plans for all business units, ensuring that goals were met on time and within budget

• Served as a liaison to other LMHA, local hospitals, and community stakeholders

• Responsible for ensuring adequate staffing patterns throughout the unit, including RNs, LVNs, Behavioral Technicians, and Medical Technicians

• Oversaw the creation of detailed budgets for each department in order to maximize profitability NURSING PROGRAM MANAGER — City of El Paso Public Health Department El Paso, Texas, July 2018 - August 2018

• Supervised all aspects and performances of city immunization clinics

• Directed, supervised, and evaluated work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel

• Directed or conduct recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel

• Established work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability

• Consulted with attending physicians, vaccine manufacturers, and community groups to discuss service problems, respond to community needs, enhance public relations

• Coordinated activities and planned, and promoted immunization health programs

• Conducted weekly meetings with staff and sites visited immunization clinics

• Analyzed data from various sources to measure the effectiveness of programs and identify areas for improvement

• Established clear communication channels between stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and information sharing

PROGRAM DIRECTOR — Sunridge Assisted Living and Memory Care El Paso, Texas, July 2015 - December 2017

• Oversaw nursing and staff performances

• Audited charts and nurses' notes; provided training

• Completed physical assessments and new resident admissions

• Monitored residents’ progress

• Implemented quality control measures/assurances as indicated to meet requirements set by the state regulatory agency for assisted living

• Administered medication

• Coordinated care: reviewed patient charts; multi-disciplinary health care providers involved in providing complete patient care

• Worked with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists

• Liaison between the agency and other agencies, case managers involving patient discharge planning and placement as well as visited patients' homes to ensure home environments are safe

• Participated in state surveys – first ever error-free annual audit conducted by the state regulatory agency for assisted living

• Taught medication administration; certified medication aides upon completion of required medication administration classes; monitored aides regularly to ensure compliance with program requirements

• Participated in executive meetings, planning, and decision-making involving day-to-day operation and budgeting as well as hiring, and termination

PSYCHIATRIC REGISTERED NURSE, CHARGE NURSE — Rio Vista Behavioral Health Santa Teresa, New Mexico, August 2011 - December 2017

• Oversaw unit operation, staffing availability, and assignment

• Completed physical assessments/admissions

• Obtained blood sugar readings and specimens, labs Monitored patient progress

• Developed nurse's notes

• Administered medication

• Implemented patient safety and precautions; patients were monitored on close observation i.e 1:1, line of sight to prevent suicide or self-harm or homicidal tendencies or attempts

• Reviewed patient charts, and communicated findings with the supervisor; provided needed training to prevent future deficiencies

DIRECTOR OF NURSING — Good Sheppard Home Health

El Paso, Texas, May 2014 - November 2017

• Supervised and evaluated work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel

• Directed or conducted recruitment/hiring and training of personnel

• Established work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability

• Developed or expanded and implemented medical programs or health services that promote patient care and rehabilitation

• Developed instructional materials and conducted in-service and community-based educational programs

• Facilitated monthly staff meetings Participated in state surveys REGISTERED NURSE — Victoria Home Health Care

El Paso, Texas, February 2012 - December 2014

• Worked as an LVN and then as an RN

• Completed physical assessments

• Audited charts and nurses’ notes

• Monitored patient progress.

• Developed nursing notes

• Administered medication

• Implemented quality control measures/assurance as set forth in company policies and procedures

• Reviewed patient charts daily, made corrections; provided training. LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE TO REGISTERED NURSE — University Behavioral Health, UBH El Paso, Texas, June 2011 - July 2013

• Completed physical assessments

• Obtained blood sugar readings

• Monitored patient progress

• Developed nurse's notes

• Administered medication

• Implemented patient safety and precautions such as close monitoring, 1:1, line of sight, and 15-minute checks

• Reviewed patient charts, made corrections, and provided training as needed to nurses, staff LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE — Dona Ana County Detention Center Las Cruces, New Mexico, October 2011 - June 2012

• Administered medication to detainees

• Performed physical assessments on detainees and monitored vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration

• Performed assessments on new detainees

• Provided quality patient care in accordance with established nursing standards and practices

• Promoted a safe environment through proper use of equipment, infection control protocols, safety measures, and fall prevention strategies

CHIROPRACTOR — William Beaumont Army Medical Center El Paso, Texas, April 2003 - December 2009

• Assisted, in collaboration and in conjunction with other healthcare providers, in the development of the first-ever Integrative Medicine (Alternative Medicine) in the Department of the Army at William Beaumont Army Medical Center comprising medical, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional services

• Developed and conducted symposiums and health fairs to further promote the benefits of alternative medicine

• Performed physical assessment on soldiers

• Performed orthopedic, neurological, and physical examinations to determine patient needs.

• Maintained accurate documentation of all clinical activities including patient histories, diagnostic imaging results, and laboratory tests.

• Utilized digital X-ray equipment for diagnosis purposes as needed.

• Collaborated with other healthcare providers to coordinate comprehensive treatment plans for patients.

• Provided guidance and support during rehabilitation exercises prescribed by physicians. CHIROPRACTOR — Complete Injury Care

El Paso, TX, January 2001 - December 2002

• Performed physical assessment of patients

• Performed physical performance and functional capacity

• Performed physiotherapy on patients

• Evaluations of patients

• Ordered diagnostic tests as necessary, Interpreted X-rays and other diagnostic procedures

• Collaborated care with other healthcare providers

• Implemented corrective measures using therapeutic modalities: ultrasound therapy and electrical stimulation therapy

• Conducted research projects related to chiropractic treatment methods and outcomes EDUCATION

DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DNP) — Walden University Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 2025

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING — Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 2023

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING — Texas Tech University-Health Sciences Center El Paso, Texas, December 2012

DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC — Texas Chiropractic College Pasadena, Texas, December 1998

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL TECHNOLOGY — University of Houston Houston, Texas, December 1992

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Proficient in-patient case management; patient

assessment, admission

• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Kinnser, Cradle, Avatar, type 55 WPM,

• Team-oriented and outstanding work ethic • Ability to self-manage, self-motivate, and adapt to challenges

• Efficient in the nursing management and motivated educator

• Direct Supervision

• Progress Evaluation • Therapeutic Facilitation

• Medication Management • Psychiatric Evaluation

• Protocol Compliance • EMR Systems

• Client Education • Family Education

CERTIFICATIONS

• Doctorate Mental Health Nurse Practice

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

(PMHNP)

• Registered Nurse (RN) License: State of Texas

• Nursing License Endorsement: New Mexico

• Doctor of Chiropractic

LANGUAGES

• English

Advanced

• Spanish

Intermediate

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