Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Description

DOTHOUSE MISSION STATEMENT

To be an essential resource for our community in its efforts to achieve the highest levels of health, well-being and quality of life for its residents. To provide affordable, accessible, and exceptional health care and other essential services in an environment that respects our consumers, our staff and our diverse community. To be a leading force for change in the health, economic and social status of our community.

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Behavioral Health, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner demonstrates clinical competence by utilizing the nursing process. The Psych NP assesses patient’s mental status and recognizes, documents and communicates patient problem, establishes a treatment plan and implements and evaluates nursing care.

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Performs psychosocial assessment of patient and demonstrates competency in the delivery, evaluation and documentation of treatment. Documents patient assessment

· Develops a treatment plan to meet identified patient problems or needs, writes measurable expected outcomes, specific interventions and coordinates patient’s transfers/discharge needs

· Evaluates present treatment plan and revises and updates plan according to patient’s progress toward expected outcomes. Documents evaluation of nursing treatment plan.

· Participates in patient team conference

· Assesses mental status of patient including hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, suicidal/homicidal ideation, etc.

· Evaluates patient chemical dependency, medication compliance and patient safety to self and others

· Diffuses crisis situations while maintaining safety for patient, family and self

· Assists patient in coping with problems associated with mental illness

· Recognizes, documents and communicates changes in cognitive abilities, behavior and mood

· Participates in activities that contribute to the on-going development of the profession’s body of knowledge in order to remain abreast of changes in nursing practices and procedures

· Conduct individual, group or family counseling sessions, and write prescriptions for psychotropic medications under the supervision of psychiatrists.

· Monitor patients use of medication and document treatment results.

· Intervene with therapy or medication for patients experiencing a mental crisis.

· Case management.

· Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

Education: Nurse Practitioner

· Certification/Licensure: Current license to practice in the state of Massachusetts, DEA, CDS

Experience:

• Must be a licensed nurse practitioner with at least two years of post-graduate experience with psychiatric patients in outpatient and/or inpatient clinical setting.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills in order to effectively collaborate with physicians and to provide appropriate instruction to patients and family members.
• Must be onsite a minimum of one day per week

Software/Hardware: Basic computer knowledge. Experience with an electronic medical records system. Experience with epic is preferred but not required.