Overview

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION: 

Reporting to the Facility Medical Director, the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) provides comprehensive behavioral health care to adult patients in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. The patient population served consists of adults with chronic and persistent mental health conditions served by the state’s mental health authority. Patients have complex bio-psycho-social needs and may be forensically involved.

Responsibilities

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct, wholistic behavioral health care including psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of adult patients in accordance with generally accepted standards of psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nursing and within the scope of practice and licensure.
• Prescribe psychiatric/medical medications
• Provide on-going medication monitoring for efficacy and side effects from psychiatric medications performing AIMS testing as required by facility protocol
• Assess patient's capacity for making informed treatment decisions
• Work collaboratively with community care providers to assess patients' needs, ensure continuity of care as patients prepare for transition and discharge into the community, and develop appropriate discharge/aftercare plans.
• Participate in site-based performance improvement and ongoing Joint Commission compliance activities in accordance with job responsibilities
• Order laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures as clinically indicated
• Obtain histories and perform physical examinations
• Communicate findings in a comprehensive and organized fashion verbally and in writing
• Make appropriate, timely referrals and initiates treatments based on policies and procedures,
• Document health problems and plan of care in accordance with record keeping/electronic medical records standards
• Implement care in a knowledgeable, safe and cost-effective manner, utilizing therapeutic regimens approved by the physician and in accordance with established regulations, policies, and procedures
• Evaluates and documents patient progress and response to prescribed interventions
• Make referrals as necessary to the physician or other health team members
• Serve as a resource to other professionals or non-professional personnel providing instructions
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a concentration in psychiatric mental health nursing. Board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Psychiatric -Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
• Current, unrestricted licensure as a psychiatric-mental health Nurse Practitioner in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Must have or be able to obtain Federal DEA Registration and be eligible to participate in both Medicare and Medicaid
• Must have or be able to obtain Massachusetts Controlled Substance Certificate

Additional Information

This position is 100% on-site.  Worcester Recovery Center & Hospital (WRCH) in Worcester, MA is Department of Mental Health operated facility. 

The PMHNP is responsible for providing direct clinical care to adult patients under the supervision of the Facility Medical Director. The PMHNP is a part of a multi-disciplinary team and participates in regular clinical and risk consultation meetings, as well as quality and performance improvement initiatives.  Ideal candidates will posess both a depth and breadth of adult psychiatric experience and commitment to public sector psychiatry.