Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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We have a full-time position available for a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in West Des Moines, Iowa. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. This opening has a $7500 sign-on bonus paid out in two increments.

Reports to: Chief Medical Officer

Job Summary:

Provide psychiatric medical care for patients of all ages who seek care at UCS Healthcare which includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy. Will treat patients in more than one program or location including medication assisted treatment.

As part of UCS Healthcare, team members will follow all laws and regulations, including those at the Federal, State, and Local level. They will also adhere to all UCS policies and procedures, including patient confidentiality, HIPAA/ 42CFR part 2, and all CARF requirements. All team members will operate in alignment with UCS Healthcare's core values, work effectively in a team environment, provide or support patient-centered services, and strive to assist UCS Healthcare in delivering the highest level of care.

Essential Functions (85%):

Patient Care

• Diagnose patient conditions using history, physical examination and indicated tests, and prescribe treatment as necessary to address their health concerns.
• Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
• Understanding the changes in mental health promotion throughout the aging process.
• Address preventative care and tests appropriate for a patient's age, history, and other pertinent variables.
• Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Monitor patients' medication usage and results.
• Work with a diverse population of patients compassionately
• Coordinate services internally with physicians, psychologists, nurses, pharmacists, counselors, and therapists and utilize support staff as indicated.
• Provide crisis intervention and care when needed.
• Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.
• Analyze test data and determine the need for follow-up appointments and further treatment options.
• Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
• Serve as the resource patients need for ongoing care information, counseling and provide guidance for any patients with critical conditions.
• Order medication as appropriate.
• Deliver quality care while maintaining confidentiality.

Documentation

• Utilize EHR for documentation and E-prescribing as appropriate.
• Documents in a timely, accurate and concise manner.
• Completes and signs all notes in a timely manner.
• Oversees nursing staff documentation and co-sign if needed.

Training and Education

• Attend staffing, QA, and other designated meetings.
• Maintain all licensures, registrations and permits as required and participate in continuing medical education activities as required and in order to maintain and increase professional standards.
• Facilitates staff, patient and family decision making by providing educational tools.
• Participate in agency trainings both as a learner and in ongoing educational health presentations to the staff.
• Direct and coordinate activities of nurses and other medical staff and provide technical and educational assistance in understanding a patient's medical problems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members.
• Provide consultation to clinic staff for improvement in their work performance, which enhances overall quality service delivery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members.

Follow ethical and legal policies, procedures, and standards.

Regular attendance is required.

Other Functions (15%)

• Keep up-to-date with professional job knowledge by reading publications, attending educational conferences or maintaining professional networks. Demonstrates commitment to own professional growth and competence.
• Provide input on practice protocols for mental health problems, based on review and evaluation of published research.
• Collect, record, and maintain patient information (including the medical history, examination, testing results and treatment plans) in a complete and timely manner with legible and complete documentation.

Minimum Required Knowledge, Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master's Degree in nursing with a valid and unrestricted nurse practitioner license in Iowa. Board certified or board eligible in mental health nursing or are able to obtain prior to starting.
• Valid and unrestricted Iowa Registered Nurse Practitioner, DEA, and CSA licenses or are able to obtain prior to starting.
• Ability to work within a team and take direction.
• Demonstrates effective communication strategies.
• Strong oral, written, and computer skills.
• Ability to use de-escalation skills in resolving conflict when necessary.

Preferred Knowledge, Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with Netsmart EHR medical charting system

• 2 years experience working with behavioral health or families in a practice setting.
• Experience Independently providing general and preventative care, conducting check-ups, treating illnesses, ordering lab tests and prescribing medication. Experience treating the needs of substance use disorder and transgender populations.

Supervisory Responsibility: n/a

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged sitting and standing, prolonged computer use.
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• A valid driver's license is required (an Iowa driver's license is required within 30 days of hire) and liability insurance or an equivalent means of personal transportation and coverage as travel within the state of Iowa may be necessary.

Work Schedule/Location: Based in our clinic in West Des Moines, IA. Salaried Full-time with core clinic hours ranging Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM with Flexibility.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.