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 a 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 private practice duties, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and co-facilitating group therapy sessions as needed. The APP works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care for people experiencing a range of mental health conditions. The position is PRN (as needed), with the opportunity to move to part-time or full-time work depending on caseload and organizational needs. It is hourly and non-exempt, based at Dallas, Texas locations, and requires the ability to work onsite as needed. Connections Wellness Group, a Blended Health company, provides intermediate behavioral health services intended to expand access to outpatient care for adolescents and adults with acute mental health challenges. Its services emphasize continuity of care and convenient, innovative, high-touch individual and group services. The company has locations in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Applicants must meet the education, licensure, and certification requirements for either the PMHNP or Psych PA pathway. Candidates must also be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and submit to a national background check. Connections Wellness Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants with prior patient history at a facility program or provider may be eligible for employment subject to the stated treatment-transfer or discharge conditions.
Requirements
- For the PMHNP pathway: a master's or doctoral degree in nursing specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practice.
- For the PMHNP pathway: a current, unrestricted PMHNP license in Texas and PMHNP-BC board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- 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: a current, unrestricted Texas Physician Assistant license and current NCCPA certification.
- At least 1 year of experience providing psychiatric medication management.
- Ability to work onsite as needed.
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and submit to a national background check.
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, including collecting patient history, performing mental status examinations, and formulating DSM diagnostic impressions.
- Develop individualized treatment plans incorporating 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.
- Collaborate with the treatment team regarding medication concerns and adjustments.
- Document medication-related activities accurately and efficiently in the electronic health record.
- Co-facilitate therapeutic groups in PHP and IOP settings using evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT-informed practices, and process groups.
- Contribute to group curriculum and activity development, maintain a safe and therapeutic group environment, and document patient participation and progress.
- Collaborate with other 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 regarding patient progress, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
- Communicate with patients, families when appropriate and with consent, and external providers.
- Provide psychiatric consultation to other staff members.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in accordance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.
- Follow ethical and legal standards of practice.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and program evaluation activities.
- Maintain current knowledge of psychiatric best practices and relevant research, pursue continuing education and professional development, and keep required licenses and certifications current.
