Nurse Practitioner - Inpatient

North Central Health Care•Wausau, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Inpatient Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive psychiatric and medical care to adult and adolescent patients receiving inpatient behavioral health services. Working collaboratively with the Attending Psychiatrist and interdisciplinary treatment team, the Nurse Practitioner performs psychiatric and physical assessments, diagnoses mental health and substance use disorders, develops individualized treatment plans, prescribes medications, and provides ongoing evaluation and management of patient care. This role promotes person-centered, recovery-oriented treatment while ensuring compliance with professional practice standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.

Requirements

Current Wisconsin Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP) license.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification.
Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license and maintain unrestricted driving privileges throughout employment and have use of a personal vehicle.
Must meet and continue to meet all requirements for insurability under the organization's vehicle insurance policy.
Demonstrated proficiency in electronic medical record (EMR) documentation.
Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to safely participate in patient restraint interventions when necessary.
Manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced inpatient environment.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
One or more years of experience in psychiatric, behavioral health, substance use, or related mental health settings.
Experience providing care in an inpatient psychiatric or hospital environment.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive psychiatric and medical evaluations, including health histories, physical assessments, substance use assessments, and diagnostic evaluations.
Order, interpret, and evaluate laboratory, diagnostic, and other clinical testing to support patient diagnosis and treatment.
Develop, implement, and modify individualized, person-centered treatment plans based on patient needs, diagnoses, treatment history, and recovery goals.
Diagnose and treat psychiatric, substance use, and co-occurring disorders within the scope of licensure and professional standards.
Prescribe, adjust, monitor, and evaluate medications and treatment interventions, documenting clinical rationale and outcomes.
Report adverse findings and collaborate with the Attending Psychiatrist regarding patient care, treatment planning, and consultation needs.
Refer patients to specialty services, medical providers, and community resources as appropriate.
Provide ongoing evaluation, management, and coordination of care for assigned patients throughout hospitalization.
Deliver direct and indirect patient care focused on improving health outcomes, promoting recovery, and preventing illness.
Lead development of measurable and achievable plans of care in collaboration with patients, families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members.
Ensure care and treatment approaches are appropriate to each patient's age, cultural background, and individual needs.
Participate in discharge planning and coordinate appropriate referrals and continuity of care services.
Serve as a liaison between patients, families, treatment teams, and community partners to support successful treatment outcomes.
Support and participate in the interdisciplinary team model of care delivery.
Prescribe and manage psychiatric and medical medications in accordance with regulatory standards, organizational policies, and evidence-based practices.
Verify, transcribe, administer, and monitor medications according to established protocols and individualized treatment plans.
Accurately document medication orders, clinical justifications, treatment responses, and patient outcomes.
Demonstrate expertise in determining appropriate medication regimens based on presenting diagnoses and clinical presentation.
Delegate and provide clinical oversight to ancillary nursing personnel as appropriate.
Collaborate effectively with physicians and consult on complex cases when needed.
Participate in Medical Executive Committee meetings, organizational committees, and quality improvement initiatives.
Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation in the electronic medical record.
Participate in continuing education and professional development activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Work is performed primarily in inpatient psychiatric hospital settings serving adolescent and adult populations.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout patient care environments for extended periods.
Ability to safely assist with behavioral emergencies and participate in physical restraint interventions when required.
Ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations involving patients experiencing psychiatric symptoms or behavioral disturbances.
Frequent use of computers and electronic medical record systems.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through written documentation.
Exposure to patients experiencing acute psychiatric, behavioral, and substance use crises.
Ability to maintain regular attendance and reliable performance in a healthcare environment that operates continuously to meet patient care needs.