Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

ERC Pathlight•Sacramento, CA

About The Position

Under the supervision of a credentialed physician, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner delivers psychiatric healthcare to patients. The role operates with latitude and collaborates with other health professionals to provide high-quality, cost-effective psychiatric care, manage healthcare systems, and influence healthcare decision-making through clinical reasoning, research, and theory-based practice. The position evaluates and monitors patients’ psychiatric conditions, assesses health status through record review, comprehensive psychiatric and medical histories, and examinations, and contributes to treatment planning. It makes treatment decisions according to standards of care and protocols, orders medications within statutory limits, and initiates or directs screenings and psychological assessments when appropriate. The role also maintains timely, complete documentation and patient records, advocates for patients’ level-of-care needs, and participates in insurance peer reviews. The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner serves on a multidisciplinary treatment team, collaborates with colleagues and referring providers, and maintains contact with family members and support persons when appropriate. Additional duties may include leadwork, clinical coordination, special projects, protocol development, management planning, and scheduling. The position participates in quality improvement, staff education, professional development, community education, and marketing efforts when requested.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) and Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN).
Certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specialization required.
State licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with psychiatric specialization.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification, or Nurse Practitioner certification with Post-Master’s Psychiatric certification.
Training in CPR, Handle With Care, and Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and monitor patients’ psychiatric conditions in collaboration with physicians and other care providers.
Make treatment decisions according to established standards of care or appropriate protocols.
Assess new and existing patients by reviewing records, taking comprehensive psychiatric and medical histories, and performing examinations.
Analyze patient care and responses to treatment and help develop care plans and treatment.
Complete required documentation thoroughly and on time; maintain complete and accurate charts, case files, and records.
Order appropriate medications within applicable statutory limitations.
Initiate or perform screenings, direct other nurses to perform screenings, and order psychological assessments when appropriate.
Collaborate with staff, physicians, providers, and management on service and patient-care improvements.
Maintain contact with referring providers and, when appropriate, patients’ family members and support persons.
Advocate for patients by documenting level-of-care needs and participating in insurance peer reviews to optimize treatment length of stay.
Perform assigned leadwork or clinical coordination and support special projects, protocol development, management planning, and scheduling as needed.
Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and attend staff meetings to present and discuss clinical concerns.
Communicate effectively to gather information, contribute psychiatric expertise, resolve problems, and support programs or policies.
Achieve quality metrics by focusing on clinically relevant outcomes and adapting company innovations to improve patient care, programs, and organizational efficiency.
Maintain departmental policies and procedures and quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Promote positive interpersonal relationships and treat employees, physicians, patients, and visitors with courtesy, dignity, empathy, and respect.
Participate in educational programs, review current literature, and attend in-service meetings, staff meetings, workshops, and training sessions to support professional growth and maintain or increase skills.
Ensure duties and competencies are performed effectively and appropriately for the patients receiving care, service, and treatment.
Receive individual and group supervision from physician and non-physician leaders and evaluate personal performance and growth opportunities.
Provide community education and engage in marketing efforts when requested.