Advanced Practice Provider
About The Position
Connections Wellness Group is seeking a compassionate and skilled Advanced Practice Provider (APP)—either a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Psychiatric Physician Assistant (Psych PA)—to provide comprehensive psychiatric care to adults and adolescents in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) settings. The role includes psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and co-facilitation of group therapy as needed, working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to provide evidence-based care. The position is PRN (as needed), with the opportunity to move to part-time or full-time depending on caseload and organizational needs. It is hourly and non-exempt, based at the Rockwall, Texas location, with onsite work required as needed. Connections Wellness Group, a Blended Health company, provides intermediate mental health services to adolescents and adults experiencing acute mental health challenges. Its outpatient services emphasize continuity of care through convenient, innovative, and high-touch individual and group services. The organization has locations in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Applicants must qualify through one of two paths: a PMHNP with a relevant graduate degree, current unrestricted Texas PMHNP licensure, and ANCC board certification; or a Psych PA who graduated from an accredited PA program, has a focus or significant experience in psychiatry, and holds current unrestricted Texas PA licensure and NCCPA certification. At least one year of psychiatric medication-management experience is required. Group co-facilitation experience is highly preferred, and PHP/IOP experience is a plus. The position requires adherence to ethical, legal, facility, and regulatory standards; accurate and timely clinical documentation; and maintenance of required licenses and certifications. Candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and submit to a national background check. Connections Wellness Group is an equal opportunity employer.
Requirements
- For the PMHNP pathway: Master's or doctoral degree in Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization.
- For the PMHNP pathway: Current, unrestricted PMHNP license in Texas and ANCC board certification as a PMHNP-BC.
- For the Psych PA pathway: Graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program, with a focus or significant experience in psychiatry.
- For the Psych PA pathway: Current, unrestricted Texas Physician Assistant license and current NCCPA certification.
- At least 1 year of experience providing psychiatric medication management.
- Must be able to work onsite as needed at the Rockwall, Texas location.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and submit to a national background check.
- Must maintain all required licenses and certifications.
Nice To Haves
- Experience co-facilitating therapeutic groups is highly preferred.
- Experience working in PHP and/or IOP settings is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments, gather patient histories, perform mental status examinations, and formulate DSM diagnostic impressions.
- Develop individualized treatment plans integrating medication management and therapeutic interventions.
- Order and interpret relevant laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies.
- Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications, including initiating prescriptions, titrating doses, monitoring efficacy and side effects, and reconciling medications.
- Educate patients about medication indications, dosages, potential side effects, and adherence strategies.
- Coordinate medication-related concerns and adjustments with the treatment team.
- Accurately and efficiently document medication-related activities in the electronic health record.
- Co-facilitate therapeutic groups in PHP and IOP settings using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT-informed, and process groups.
- Contribute to group curriculum and activities, maintain a safe therapeutic group environment, and document patient participation and progress.
- Collaborate with group facilitators to support cohesive and effective group programming.
- Work with psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, and other multidisciplinary team members.
- Participate in treatment team meetings concerning patient progress, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
- Communicate with patients, families when appropriate and with consent, and external providers.
- Consult with other staff members regarding psychiatric issues.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in accordance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.
- Adhere to ethical and legal standards of practice and participate in quality improvement and program evaluation activities.
- Maintain current knowledge of psychiatric best practices and relevant research, participate in continuing education, and maintain required licenses and certifications.
