NURSE PRACTITIONER, PSYCHIATRIC

The GEO Group•Big Spring, TX

About The Position

The Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric evaluates and treats inmates, detainees, or residents showing signs or symptoms of psychiatric or behavioral health disorders. The role supervises nursing staff providing mental health services and works within a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide quality mental healthcare. The practitioner assesses referred patients, provides medication management and emergency psychiatric care, conducts suicide risk assessments as appropriate, and refers patients for psychotherapy, counseling, or inpatient care when necessary. The role includes consulting with a psychiatrist and receiving clinical supervision when required by the applicable state licensing board. The practitioner reviews and adjusts maintenance medications, prescribes according to the established formulary and policy, and coordinates care with other treatment team members. The position also involves arranging follow-up, providing requested in-service education, documenting services in patients’ medical files, and participating in quality-of-care reviews.

Requirements

Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited nursing program.
Unrestricted APRN-PMH license in the state where the facility is located.
ANCC or ANA certification as an APRN-PMH.
Copy of professional license must remain on file at the facility where services are rendered.
Valid DEA number and unrestricted DEA license.
Ability to work with computers and department software.
Ability to use an electronic health record and complete documentation in a timely manner.
Ability to pass any required background check.
Complete the credentialing process before treating patients.

Nice To Haves

Two years of clinical experience as a psychiatric provider is preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients referred for assessment of behavioral health disorder symptoms.
Provide appropriate psychiatric medication management.
Refer patients for psychotherapy, counseling, or inpatient care as necessary.
Complete suicide risk assessments as appropriate.
Provide emergency psychiatric care as required.
Consult with a psychiatrist and receive clinical supervision when required by the state licensing board.
Review and adjust maintenance medications as necessary based on clinical judgment and policy.
Prescribe medications according to the established formulary and follow protocols for requesting nonformulary medication.
Recognize drug-seeking behavior and prescribe medication only when clinically appropriate for an identified mental illness.
Refer patients experiencing insomnia to appropriate mental health professionals for cognitive-behavioral interventions rather than prescribing medication for insomnia.
Coordinate patient care with counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other treatment team members.
Schedule appropriate patient follow-up in accordance with policy and client requirements.
Provide in-service education for medical and correctional staff as requested.
Document all services in the patient’s medical file.
Participate in review of the quality of care provided.
Supervise nursing staff providing mental health services.
Perform other duties as assigned.