PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

About Whitman-Walker Health

At Whitman-Walker, our commitment to “Community, Caring, and Quality” really shines through! Our mission is to be the highest quality, culturally competent community health center serving greater

Washington’s diverse urban community, including individuals who face barriers to accessing care, and with special expertise in LGBT and HIV care. We offer a full line of healthcare services including (1) comprehensive outpatient offerings for medical and dental healthcare; (2) an on-site Pharmacy; (3) legal support in the areas of access to healthcare, public benefits and private insurance, discrimination, and workplace rights, immigration, transgender rights, and others; (4) behavioral healthcare provided through individual and group therapy; and (5) confidential and anonymous HIV testing and counseling services.

Job Summary:

As a member of the department of the behavioral health team, the nurse practitioner (NP) will provide psychiatric services to adult and adolescent clients experiencing mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders in an integrated care, community health center. The nurse practitioner will provide direct services to patient consumers of the health center in the form of psychiatric evaluations, psychiatric consultation, treatment planning, mental status assessments, supportive therapy, and crisis intervention. Primary responsibility will also include prescribing and managing psychotropic medication.

Primary Essential Duties:
• Completes psychiatric evaluation within 2 business days.
• Prescribes psychotropic medication in the management of the patient's psychiatric condition as needed.
• Organizes information/date concerning the patient’s family, medical history, and the onset of symptoms obtained from patients, relatives, and other sources, such as behavioral health staff members, medical staff members, etc.
• Orders laboratory and special diagnostic tests and evaluate information obtained.
• Evaluates all available clinical data (including laboratory and other diagnostic reports) pertaining to the client's physiological status prior to initiating psychopharmacological interventions.
• Reviews and follows up on treatment(s) ordered by other physicians as appropriate in the coordination of patient care.
• Participates in the individual plan of service for each client assigned, with special attention to all medical aspects of the plan.
• Documents client's progress in progress notes after each visit.
• Explains medication effects and side effects to clients and/or caregivers with a review of the Patient Medication Information (PMI) for each medication.
• Reviews all non-psychiatric medical orders and prescriptions as appropriate in the coordination of patient care.
• Recommends non-prescription, first aid, and drugs (i.e., analgesics, antipyretics) as needed.
• Assists in crisis intervention as needed
• Consults and advises behavioral health staff members as needed.
• May be asked to provide psychiatric services at either of the Whitman-Walker sites.

Budget Responsibilities:

No direct budget responsibilities.

Management Responsibilities:

No personnel management responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required:
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures.
• Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets lab results and reports
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management, staff members, clients, and public groups.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables
• Experience working with diverse populations including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender as well as those living with HIV/AIDS.
• Knowledge and experience of substance abuse disorders and treatment.
• Experience and comfort in providing Adolescent medication management

Education and Experience Required:
• Master of Nursing; Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with a specialty in adult/adolescent psychiatric/mental health.
• Professional experience of 2 years; experience in community fieldwork desirable.
• Must hold a valid DC license to practice
• Must have and maintain a current Controlled Substances Registration Certificate from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
• Must have a Data Waiver for prescribing Suboxone or be willing to get Training and Data Waiver.

Working Conditions: Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individuals may be required to work evenings and/or weekends and organization events.

Physical Demands:
• Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.
• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.
• Visual: Prolonged periods on the computer.
• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.
• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.

The above job description is designed to indicate a general sense of the duties and expectations of this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required. As the nature of our business demands change, so too, may the duties and responsibilities of this position. You may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

Whitman-Walker is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants, its employees, or former employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and gender identity. For accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources.