Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Summary of Position

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in mental health care. The PNP, in coordination with the Primary Care Provider and other clinic staff, provides direct care to patients and/or their caregivers regarding mental health, behavioral health and/or substance use/abuse counseling and treatment. The PNP may also provide consultation to other health care providers while facilitating the development of a comprehensive plan of care to address the whole person. This position adheres to all internal policies, widely accepted professional practice standards and requirements for professional practice and licensure.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledgeable of assessment modalities, treatment planning and counseling techniques for working with comorbid populations (chronic health conditions, mental health, behavioral health, and substance use). Experience in the use of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and strength-based interventions. Knowledge of and confidence in assessing and diagnosing Behavioral Health conditions. Ability to interact and render service impartially to diverse populations. Interacts with respect and in a professional manner with patients, staff, and external customers. Must be able to commute independently between CRCHC sites.

* Experience: 2 years' experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center; 3 years' experience with behavioral health evidenced-based practice treatment modalities;2 years' experience providing clinical supervision
* Additional skills required: Knowledge of legal and ethical standards for the delivery of behavioral health care. Excellent leadership and coaching skills. Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team. Able to effectively utilize an electronic health record to document all patient encounters.
* Additional skills preferred: English.

Education: A masters or doctoral degree in nursing with specialization as a psychiatric nurse practitioner (lifespan preferred).

Certification(s)/Licensure: Current and unrestricted state of North Carolina license as an APRN with ANCC certification as a PNP (lifespan preferred).

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

* Frequent walking, standing, and moving about.
* Frequently bends, kneels, and crouches.
* Repetitive movement of hands and fingers - typing and/or writing.
* Talk and hear.

Key Responsibilities

1. Responsible for assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions in patients, conducting psychiatric evaluations, order diagnostic tests, and create treatment plans based on findings.

2. Provide medication management by monitoring patients' response to medications prescribed and adjusting dosages as needed.

3. Provide counseling and therapy to patients with mental health conditions by utilizing techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their mental health.

4. Collaborate with other healthcare providers, and care team in care coordination and treatment plan implementation.

5. Participates in staff meetings, and quality meetings as requested or necessary.

6. Promotes BH Clinician support for adherence with Federal and State compliance requirements for FQHC status, attainment of productivity targets and claim preparation for third party reimbursement.

7. Provide diagnostic and brief therapeutic client-centered interventions, consultations, education and referral/linkages for individuals with emotional, behavioral, medical, mental health and substance abuse issues.

8. Counsel, educate, support, and assist clients and families to gain access to internal and external resources.

9. Develop and maintain a working knowledge of local and regional external behavioral/mental health, substance abuse and psychiatric resources for clients in need of additional resources.

10. Make efforts to meet or exceed established patient encounter goals.

11. Identify the impact of cultural diversity, trauma, and lifestyle choices on patient conditions and use this sensitivity to formulate a treatment plan.

12. Provide crisis interventions services.

13. Complete and maintain documentation within 48 hours of the close of an encounter.

14. Participate in peer supervision to ensure utilization of evidence-based treatment plans and maintain necessary workflow.

15. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and other community-based meetings as assigned.

16. Partner with bilingual staff and interpreters to serve non-English speaking patients.

17. Participate in quality improvement activities by initiating or contributing to monitoring, measuring, analyzing, improving and/or controlling program goals, objectives and/or services.

18. Support current incentive, regulatory, and certification requirements (such as Meaningful Use, PCMH and UDS) through documentation, participation in initiatives, and other activities as directed.

19. Completes assessments and initial treatment plans for individuals beginning treatment, in a timely manner.

20. Provides crisis assessment/intervention services to current individuals served,

21. Provides coverage for absent supervisees in group or individual sessions,

22. Participates in concurrent documentation to streamline non billable services.

23. Completes necessary documentation in the electronic health record, Level of Care Utilization System, and/or paper chart to admit an individual for behavioral health services, to review or revise an individual care plan, to complete a utilization management reauthorization, and to close a case.

24. Completes required documentation for all services provided including phone calls and consults with treatment teams/ other entities.

25. Participates in daily huddles and weekly staffing where education for staff, case consults and planning for caseloads are provided,

26. Participates in monthly documentation review and group chart reviews to promote education and change in staff documentation to better comply with licensing and billing requirements.

27. Works in conjunction with clinical and administrative supervisors to promote and maintain workflow and treatment services.

28. Participates in committees, projects, Performance and Quality Improvement initiative workgroups and data collecting efforts as assigned.

29. Performs all other duties assigned by management.

CRCHC Core Requirements

* Patient Centered Customer Service - Whether directly or indirectly, we work to support the delivery of an excellent patient experience to everyone served by the organization.
* Caring and Compassion - We provide empathic comfort to those in distress and share kindness in all interpersonal interactions.
* Respectful Communication - We communicate openly, honestly and without judgment while honoring each individual's uniqueness and assuming the best of those with whom we interact.
* Teamwork - We are members of a diverse interdisciplinary team working together to meet a common goal.
* Accountability - We accept our individual and team responsibilities, and we meet our commitments. We take responsibility for our performance and actions.
* Customer Safety - We recognize and correct potential hazards to protect ourselves and our customers.