Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Position Summary:
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is responsible for supporting behavioral health care provided in primary care settings by a team comprised of primary care physicians, psychiatrists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and behavioral health clinicians. This psychiatric consultant is responsible for performing psychiatric assessments, medication management, and diagnostic evaluations of patients. Brief evidenced-based pharmacologic services are provided to children, adolescents, adults and/or older adults in the primary care setting.

This provider also works in a consultant role with behavioral health clinicians and PCPs to develop and implement sound treatment plans for patients with physical health, mental health and/or substance use issues, responds to and provides crisis intervention services when needed, ensures behavioral health services are delivered in a culturally appropriate fashion and is consistent with State of California laws and regulations, professional standards of care, agency guidelines, and professional ethical guidelines.

Essential Functions of the Job:
• Provide direct psychiatric evaluation and evidenced-based pharmacologic treatment, focusing on patients with diagnostic or therapeutic challenges identified in discussion with the patient’s BH clinician and / or PCP.
• Provides consultation to clinical staff and primary care providers (PCPs) as needed regarding the client’s care, treatment recommendations and progress via documentation in the client’s record, face to face or telephone.
• Actively participates in Quality Assurance activities of the Division with regard to treatment Utilization Review, medication monitoring, peer review, procedures, and processes.
• Completes all required documentation in a timely fashion including the preparation of reports and written documentation, notes, and medical records, all other forms, and documents as required by the department, company, state, and federal agencies.
• Participates in the development and delivery of in‐service training for primary care‐based providers including medical residents and staff regarding the current understanding of best practices for the recognition and treatment of behavioral health conditions in primary care as requested.
• Performs crisis interventions as needed including but not limited to conducting suicide assessments and making recommendations to medical providers and patients; determines if crisis response services are appropriate for patient safety.
• Works in coordination with the Chief Behavioral Health Officer and Director of Psychiatry to ensure full integration of services and a team-based approach to care.
• Participates in treatment team meetings and committees as needed.
• Participates in regularly scheduled supervision by a psychiatrist on an ongoing basis for professional development and complex case reviews.
• Maintains productivity expectations in accordance with clinic/program guidelines.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.


Additional Duties and Responsibilities
• Complies with established departmental and health center-wide policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Ability to organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with underserved and marginalized communities.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff, and the public.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
• Assists in providing supervision of interns and/or unlicensed staff under the specification of license held as requested.
• Coordinates with other consulting psychiatrists and/or PCPs for vacation coverage as needed to ensure continuity of patient care.
• Ability to adapt to practice settings which include in person, televideo, and telephonic, with a flexible and patient-centered approach.

Job Requirements

Education Required:
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Certifications Required:
• Certification of successful completion of PMHNP graduate program.
• Nurse Practitioner unrestricted Licensure and Furnishing number to practice in the state of California by date of hire.
• DEA license by date of hire.
• Successful completion or expected completion by hire date of the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certification board exam.
• BLS certification.

Experience and Required Skills:
• Two years of outpatient experience with direct patient care.