Psychiatric APRN

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Abilene, TX

2d•$10,400 - $13,051•Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) provides complex psychiatric care at Abilene State Supported Living Center, serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may be medically fragile or have behavioral problems. The APRN assesses, plans, and provides comprehensive psychiatric care independently and in collaboration with other health care professionals, under the clinical and administrative supervision of the Medical Director and/or a delegating physician or psychiatrist. The role has extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment and may involve collaborative care with physicians and psychiatrists via telemedicine. The position provides acute and long-term psychiatric care, conducts assessments and develops treatment plans, prescribes medications including antipsychotics, orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic testing, and makes consultations and referrals within the scope of licensure. It also involves reviewing support plans and patient risks, documenting care, monitoring trends and recommending improvements, and may include planning, assigning, or supervising the work of others. This is a full-time, regular position with a day shift. It is not eligible for telework and may require flexible hours, rotating or extended shifts, overtime, on-call coverage, weekends, holidays, and work at an alternate location during disaster response or continuity-of-operations activation. Travel is up to 5%.

Requirements

Graduation from an advanced practice registered nurse educational program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Board of Nursing, with a master’s degree or higher.
Clinical nursing experience providing medical or psychiatric care.
Registered nurse licensure in Texas or in another state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Certification as an advanced practice registered nurse by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Must have or be able to obtain a current Drug Enforcement Agency registration certificate.
Must possess a National Provider Identifier and enroll as a Medicaid and Medicare Part B provider.
Knowledge of psychiatric and nursing methods and procedures, including laws and ordinances governing public health and hospital operations.
Knowledge of medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment methods and procedures.
Knowledge of developing, implementing, and documenting case histories and individualized care and treatment plans.
Skill in interpreting laboratory analyses and x-rays, and in patient care and use of medical diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment.
Ability to examine, diagnose, and treat physical and mental disorders; supervise others providing medical care; and interact appropriately with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally, prepare and maintain medical records, work effectively on an interdisciplinary team, and work independently with flexibility.
Pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old; males aged 18–25 must be registered with Selective Service.
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in work hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
State Supported Living Center employees are subject to random drug testing.

Responsibilities

Attend work regularly, follow assigned shift schedules, and perform other assigned duties; rotating schedules, extended shifts, overtime, or rotating on-call service may be required.
Provide acute and long-term psychiatric care within the scope of licensure, including assessment of mental health status, diagnosis, treatment, and development and documentation of plans of care.
Prescribe medications, including antipsychotics; obtain timely medication consents; order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic testing; and arrange consultations and referrals.
Refer care decisions outside the APRN’s licensure or expertise to the treatment team or a Medical Doctor.
Meet face to face with individuals for initial and ongoing psychiatric assessments, review disease-specific treatment, and update treatment as warranted.
Write prescriptions and perform medication reviews within licensing credentials and training expertise.
Report significant trends or issues to the supervisor and recommend actions based on professional expertise.
Conduct at least quarterly psychiatric clinics and rounds, and periodically review hospitalized patients when on call if a change in status or condition is reported.
Provide psychiatric diagnoses and review positive behavior support plans and/or psychiatric support plans, including individual risks and health status; ensure necessary supports are identified and needs are addressed.
Prepare accurate, timely documentation, including annual summaries and documentation concerning chemical restraints; evaluate the accuracy of assessments and compliance with policies and procedures.
Supervise or direct the work of others providing medical care, as assigned.
Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as needed, potentially at an alternate shift or location.