Position: Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Department: Outpatient Mental Health / Behavioral Health Services
Reports To: Medical Director / Clinical Director
Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time, as applicable
Position Summary
The Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing comprehensive psychiatric and/or behavioral health services to patients receiving care through the organization. The Nurse Practitioner evaluates patients, develops and manages treatment plans, provides medication management when within the scope of licensure and practice, monitors treatment response, and coordinates care with other members of the treatment team.
The Nurse Practitioner works collaboratively with psychiatrists, therapists, rehabilitation specialists, caseworkers, and other healthcare professionals to promote continuity of care and positive patient outcomes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Patient Assessment and Evaluation
- Conduct comprehensive initial and follow-up psychiatric or behavioral health assessments.
- Obtain and review patient medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, and medication histories.
- Assess patients' mental health status, symptoms, functional needs, and treatment goals.
- Identify changes in patient condition and determine appropriate interventions or referrals.
- Perform appropriate physical and/or psychiatric assessments within the NP's scope of practice.
- Develop individualized treatment recommendations based on assessment findings.
2. Medication Management
- Evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of prescribed medications.
- Prescribe medications within the Nurse Practitioner's legal scope of practice, clinical privileges, and applicable state and federal requirements.
- Monitor patients for medication effectiveness, side effects, adverse reactions, and potential interactions.
- Make appropriate medication adjustments based on clinical assessment and patient response.
- Educate patients regarding medications, including dosage, potential side effects, risks, benefits, and adherence.
- Coordinate with pharmacies and other healthcare providers as necessary.
3. Treatment Planning and Follow-Up
- Develop, implement, and regularly review individualized treatment plans.
- Establish measurable treatment goals in collaboration with patients and the treatment team.
- Conduct follow-up appointments to evaluate treatment progress and make appropriate clinical adjustments.
- Monitor patient compliance and response to treatment.
- Identify patients who require additional services, referrals, or higher levels of care.
4. Collaboration with Caseworkers and Rehabilitation Staff
- Collaborate with Rehabilitation Specialists, caseworkers, therapists, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Provide appropriate clinical guidance regarding patient needs and treatment goals.
- Review relevant patient updates and communicate recommendations to the treatment team.
- Participate in case consultations and treatment team meetings as needed.
- Coordinate with caseworkers regarding changes in patient symptoms, medications, treatment plans, or level of care.
- Support caseworkers in identifying concerns that require clinical evaluation or intervention.
5. Patient Communication and Telehealth
- Provide patient care through in-person and approved telehealth modalities when appropriate.
- Conduct scheduled follow-up visits and respond appropriately to patient clinical concerns.
- Provide patient education regarding mental health conditions, treatment options, medications, and wellness strategies.
- Maintain professional and therapeutic communication with patients and families when appropriate.
- Ensure telehealth services are provided in accordance with applicable laws, organizational policies, and privacy requirements.
6. Clinical Documentation
- Complete accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation.
- Document assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, medication management, patient education, and follow-up recommendations.
- Maintain accurate medication lists and treatment records.
- Complete required progress notes and other clinical documentation within established deadlines.
- Ensure documentation meets organizational, regulatory, insurance, and accreditation requirements.
7. Care Coordination
- Coordinate patient care with primary care providers, psychiatrists, therapists, rehabilitation specialists, caseworkers, hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers as appropriate.
- Facilitate referrals to appropriate medical, psychiatric, behavioral health, and community resources.
- Assist with continuity of care following hospitalizations, emergency department visits, or changes in level of care.
- Communicate clinically significant changes in patient status to appropriate members of the treatment team.
8. Risk Assessment and Patient Safety
- Assess patients for psychiatric and behavioral health risks, including suicidal or homicidal ideation when clinically indicated.
- Follow organizational protocols for crisis intervention and patient safety.
- Take appropriate action when a patient presents with an elevated level of risk.
- Coordinate emergency referrals or higher levels of care when clinically necessary.
- Document risk assessments, interventions, referrals, and follow-up appropriately.
9. Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Practice in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, professional standards, organizational policies, and the Nurse Practitioner's scope of practice.
- Maintain required professional licenses, certifications, and credentials.
- Follow HIPAA and patient confidentiality requirements.
- Participate in clinical quality improvement and compliance activities.
- Participate in chart reviews, audits, staff meetings, and clinical training as assigned.
- Maintain compliance with applicable behavioral health, licensing, insurance, and accreditation requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Current and unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the applicable state.
- Graduate degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program.
- National board certification appropriate to the area of practice.
- Current DEA registration, when required for prescribing controlled substances.
- Current CPR/BLS certification, if required by the organization.
- Ability to meet applicable credentialing and privileging requirements.
- Strong clinical assessment, communication, and documentation skills.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health or behavioral health conditions preferred.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification.
- Experience in outpatient behavioral health or community mental health.
- Experience providing psychiatric medication management.
- Experience working with patients receiving psychiatric rehabilitation or case management services.
- Experience providing telehealth services.
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems such as ICANotes.
- Knowledge of applicable behavioral health regulations and documentation requirements.
Professional Expectations
The Nurse Practitioner is expected to:
- Provide safe, ethical, patient-centered, and evidence-informed care.
- Maintain professional boundaries and patient confidentiality.
- Complete all clinical documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
- Maintain appropriate communication with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Respond promptly to clinically significant patient concerns.
- Maintain all required licenses, certifications, and professional credentials.
- Participate in meetings, training, quality improvement activities, and case consultations as required.
- Promote continuity of care and effective coordination among patients, providers, caseworkers, and other members of the treatment team.
Physical and Work Requirements
- Ability to perform clinical duties in an outpatient behavioral health setting.
- Ability to conduct patient visits through approved telehealth platforms when applicable.
- Ability to use electronic medical record and computer systems for documentation and communication.
- Ability to maintain a professional and safe environment for patients and staff.
Confidentiality
The Nurse Practitioner must maintain strict confidentiality of all patient information and comply with HIPAA, organizational privacy policies, and applicable federal and state requirements.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The organization is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a professional workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
Flexible work from home options available.