Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Position Title: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Department: Medical

Supervisor: V.P. Medical Operations or AMO Clinical Site

Responsibilities: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary:

Alluvion Health’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner provides clinical leadership and high-quality provision of clinic-based comprehensive primary and preventive psychiatric health care services to patients throughout our clinical sites. Works as a core member of the Collaborative Care Team which involves the patient’s primary care provider and other mental health, addiction, or substance abuse providers, as appropriate, to provide comprehensive patient centered care including psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy, medication evaluation, and/or medication management as part of an integrated team-based practice within Alluvion Health’s network. Works independently and interdependently with other clinic departments and providers to ensure integrated care for patient centered outcomes. May assist in supervising other mid-level providers, residents, and students, as necessary. Participates in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and protocols and is an integral member of Quality Improvement and serves as a champion for our Patient Centered Medical Home.

All employees will exhibit the following behavioral traits:

Integrity and Trust

Individual is widely trusted and can present information and discuss situations in an appropriate and helpful manner, keeps confidences, admits mistakes, doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain. Is respectful in action and communication with clients, patients, and staff.

Mission Integration

Adheres to the organization’s mission during times of ease or challenge, is dedicated to the expectations and requirements of the mission and vision, acts in line with the values identified by Alluvion Health.

Team Relations

Understands and supports the team approach and integrated model of Alluvion Health. Is seen as a team player, cooperative and supportive of his/her coworkers, practices what he/she preaches. Can be candid with peers and fosters open dialogue. Creates a feeling of belonging on the team and holds self and team accountable to those behaviors.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Provides, supports, and closely coordinates mental health care with the patient’s primary care provider and, when appropriate, other mental health providers;
2. Screens and gathers information from patients regarding common psychiatric, mental health and substance abuse disorders and screens for physical, developmental, emotional genetic, neurological, environmental, or other social or cultural risk factors;
3. Supports psychotropic medication management prescribed by primary care providers to address treatment adherence, side effects and other complications, and effectiveness of treatment;
4. Facilitates in-clinic or outside referrals to evidence-based psychosocial treatments as directed by other team members;
5. Assists other physicians and providers in revision and implementation of practice principles, clinical protocols and health care plans as needed;
6. Supervises, consults with, and precepts residents, medical students, and staff nurse practitioners and physician assistants as directed;
7. Performs psychiatric examinations, evaluations, assessments, diagnoses, and treatment;
8. Provides psychiatric medical consultation to providers and patient care teams;
9. Prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to assessed medical conditions;
10. Documents patient histories, progress notes, interventions, and orders in the electronic health record;
11. Maintains confidentiality of patients and staff;
12. Works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team;
13. Establishes and maintains rapport with community agencies;
14. Documents patient encounters, patient progress, treatment, and follow-up care in the electronic medical record system within the scope of practice;
15. Facilitates referrals for clinically indicated services outside Alluvion Health (mental health specialty care, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, etc.);
16. Participates in Quality Improvement activities to ensure compliance with Health Center Policies, including peer review of other appropriate health providers;
17. Serves as a role model for effective teamwork among staff and actively works to maintain positive morale and attitude;
18. Safeguards all patients’ health information whether written, verbal, and electronic with privacy and confidentiality. Follow HIPAA Privacy and Security policies and procedures;
19. Works collaboratively with Alluvion Health’s Leadership Team to ensure compliance with HRSA 330 requirements and reporting including UDS, budget period renewals, audits, FFR and any other submissions required for compliance;
20. Serves on other formal and ad-hoc committees and teams as appropriate;
21. Maintains knowledge of current resources, legislative and program changes relevant to PCMH, Medical Home recognition programs, Meaningful Use and QI/QA initiatives;
22. Leads meetings, committees and work groups as needed;
23. Assists in the development and review of policies and procedures and assure all staff adhere to them to improve patient care and utilization of health center resources;
24. Remains knowledgeable of support staff’s roles and responsibilities, as well as all areas of practice to provide continuity of services during position vacancies;
25. Provides leadership, conflict resolution, motivation and promotes teamwork of employees in achieving agency goals;
26. Responsible for completing various special projects/events, which may require reviewing and analyzing information, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and writing reports;
27. Performs a variety of other duties as assigned; which may include but are not limited to directing or participating in special projects and events, conducting research, representing Alluvion Health at meetings and conferences, and attending continuing education and training events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge and understanding of:

• Differential diagnosis of common mental health and/or substance abuse disorders;
• Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common mental health disorders;
• Brief, structured intervention techniques - Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation;
• Psychopharmacology for common mental health disorders that is within the appropriate scope of practice;
• Diagnosing psychiatric disorders in children, adolescents, and adults;
• Manage/monitor patients medication usage and results;
• Provide individual or family therapy for patients with acute or chronic psychiatric/mental health disorders;
• Knowledge of socioeconomic factors and their impact on mental health;
• Medications and medication effects.
• Ability to identify and treat chronic and acute illnesses and conditions;
• Federal grant requirements and regulations pertaining to federally qualified community health centers;
• Electronic Health Records software;
• Health information technology and HIPAA/HITECH compliance;
• Medicaid and Medicare billing practices;
• Supervisory principles and practices;
• Safety procedures and practices.

Skills in:

• Applying varied interventions with individuals/families in crisis;
• Working independently and implementing time management strategies;
• Intuition, communication, and sensitivity.

Ability to:

• Ability to work as a team member, establishing and maintaining effective relationships with patients and other staff.
• Exhibits cultural sensitivity.
• Understand written and oral instructions of a technical and professional nature;
• Works within the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner role and recognize when to refer clients to a physician or other health care provider;
• Recognizes and triages to ER life-threatening conditions or those beyond the scope of the practitioner;
• Maintains professionalism and manages conflict quickly and in a direct and respectful manner;
• Prescribe medications listed in the formulary;
• Accurately record and maintain medical records;
• Adapt to changes in the work environment;
• Manage competing demands, changes in approach or method to best fit the situation;
• Deal with frequent change, delays and or unexpected events;
• Adhere to a high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity towards the families involved;
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA privacy and security rules;
• Work with patients with diverse social economic and cultural backgrounds in an empathic, non-judgmental, respectful, and professional manner;
• Work with people from all walks of life, such as individuals with various social and emotional histories, high risk, unemployed, and homeless, abused and people with mental health conditions;
• Work independently with little direction but also with a team;
• Analyze and compile information;
• Pass a criminal background check;
• Observe required work hours;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Demonstrate punctuality;
• Meet established timelines and/or deadlines;
• Observe established lines of authority;
• Identify problems that adversely affect the organization and its functions;
• Offer suggestions for improvements;
• Deal with the public or other employees in a pleasant and courteous manner.

Education/Experience/Certification:

Education:

• Masters or Doctoral degree in Nursing with a Psychiatric certification;
• Two (2) to three (3) years’ experience in a clinical setting preferred;
• FQHC experience preferred.

Certifications:

• Active Montana license to practice as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse with prescriptive authority;
• Valid Driver’s License issued by the State of Montana.

Computer:

Language Skills:

Physical Requirements:

Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and fingers to provide care to patients and operate computer;
• Frequently is required to reach with hands and arms;
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds while transporting equipment and supplies;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and looking into monitors for extended periods of time and ability to adjust focus which permits the employee to perform computer procedures, and to produce and review a wide variety of documents, correspondence, reports, and related materials in both electronic and printed form;
• Clarity of speech and hearing that permits the employee to communicate well with others;
• Mobility that permits the employee to move about in a variety of building settings; Personal mobility that permits the employee to enter, operate and exit motor vehicles and travel to other clinic sites.

Working Conditions:

• Work indoors in a climate-controlled environment 95% of the time.
• OSHA Exposure Category #1 (The normal work routine involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, but exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment.)

Work Hours:

Comments:

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.