APRN - Behavioral Health

Description

CORE VALUES

The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This position is part of the behavioral health team. This position is responsible for evaluating and diagnosing patients with mental illness following established standards of practice. This position shall be authorized to make independent decisions about advanced practice clinical needs of patients and mental health decisions based on authorization from collaborative practice with psychiatrist.    

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Interviews patient about symptoms and complaints to determine the bases of condition. 
2. Responsible to manage acute and chronic mental illness through care plans that are coordinated, when appropriate, with the patient's primary care provider. 
3. Responsible to make appropriate referrals to internal disciplines of CHC/SEK and/or external resources/agencies for additional services required.
4. Prescribes medications for patients for treatment of conditions in collaboration with psychiatrist or primary care providers. 
5. Monitors patient on medication for their use and documented treatment results. 
6. Responsible for accurate, timely, and clear medical record documentation.
7. Observes clinic protocols and guidelines and scope of practice as determined by professional regulatory agencies.
8. Supervises healthcare students as assigned.
9. Provide appropriate follow-up with clinical support staff to include telephone/written correspondence (e.g. inform patients of test results).
10. Provides clear written and oral communication to patients/guardians, and employees.
11. Participates in quality improvement activities. 
12. Completes continuing medical/nursing education to ensure active licensure. 

The essential functions listed are not an exhaustive list of every task the employee is required to complete. Employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the state where nursing practice will occur or multistate license in nurse’s resident state; multistate license strongly preferred.
2. Possession of a valid license as a Certified Nurse Practitioner with a focus/specialty in Psychiatric/Mental Health. License must be held in the state where nursing practice will occur.
3. Graduate of accredited advanced practice nursing program. 
4. Prescriptive authority recognition required.
5. Current National Nurse Practitioner certification with a specialty in Psychiatry/Mental Health.
6. Completion of one-year experience in clinic setting, preferred.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and employee-base
2. A strong community/public health orientation, preferred. 
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the rationale of appropriate patient care.
4. Communicates through appropriate channels. Use proper chain of command for patient complaints.
5. Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and effectively.
6. Must be computer literate and able to navigate the Electronic Health Record.
7. Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the health care team and the organization.
8. Provide customer service in accordance to the organization’s mission.
9. Be courteous and respectful when interacting with patients and family members.
10. Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance to organization’s policy and procedure and HIPAA requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and/or stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.