Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Position Overview

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) serves as the psychiatric provider within Phoenix Behavioral Health's multidisciplinary treatment team. The APN is responsible for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, clinical stabilization, and ongoing monitoring of clients participating in Partial Care and Outpatient Behavioral Health programs.

The APN functions as both a prescribing provider and a clinical support to therapists and case managers. The role assists in stabilizing clients, preventing hospitalization, and ensuring clients can safely participate in structured behavioral health programming.

This position requires active national board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Candidates who are not board certified are not eligible for this role.

Primary Responsibilities

Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management

• Complete initial psychiatric evaluations and reassessments
• Provide ongoing medication management and follow-up appointments
• Diagnose mental health disorders using DSM-5 criteria
• Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications
• Adjust medications based on symptom presentation and treatment response
• Educate clients on medications, side effects, and adherence
• Order and review lab work when clinically indicated
• Utilize the NJ Prescription Monitoring Program (PDMP) as required

Program Support & Treatment Team Collaboration

• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings
• Provide clinical input regarding client progress and barriers to treatment
• Assist therapists with managing symptomatic or disruptive clients
• Support staff with behavioral escalations or psychiatric concerns
• Help determine appropriate level of care (Partial Care, IOP, Outpatient, or hospitalization)
• Provide same-day consults for decompensating clients when needed
• Coordinate care with hospitals, detox facilities, PCPs, and outside providers

Intakes & Clinical Stabilization

• Complete psychiatric intakes as scheduled
• Prioritize post-hospitalization and crisis discharges
• Assess suicide and homicide risk
• Conduct crisis evaluations within the program
• Support diversion from hospitalization when clinically appropriate

Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Complete evaluations and medication follow-ups within required timeframes
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the EHR
• Document medication education and informed consent
• Review and sign treatment plans as required
• Comply with:
  • New Jersey Board of Nursing regulations
  • Controlled substance prescribing regulations
  • Joint Commission standards
  • Phoenix Behavioral Health policies
  • HIPAA confidentiality requirements

Clinical Oversight & Staff Support

• Provide consultation to therapists and case managers
• Educate staff regarding psychiatric symptoms and medications
• Assist with behavioral plans and participation barriers
• Support return-to-program decisions after hospitalization

Quality & Safety

• Monitor medication interactions, misuse, and diversion
• Report adverse reactions
• Participate in quality improvement and chart audits
• Assist with incident and risk review when psychiatric factors are involved

Minimum Qualifications (Required - No Exceptions)

• Licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the State of New Jersey
• Active national board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
• Master's or Doctorate degree in Nursing from an accredited program
• Active CDS registration
• Active DEA registration
• Ability to obtain credentialing with insurance panels

Credentialing Requirement

Board certification must remain active and in good standing at all times during employment. Loss, lapse, or expiration of national certification will result in immediate removal from the clinical schedule and may result in termination of employment due to inability to legally perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Experience

• Community mental health
• Partial Care / IOP programs
• Co-occurring disorders
• Crisis stabilization
• Multidisciplinary outpatient settings

Key Competencies

• Crisis and risk assessment
• Strong psychopharmacology knowledge
• Team-based treatment collaboration
• Time management in high-volume outpatient care
• Ability to stabilize clients in a community setting

Performance Expectations

The APN is expected to:

• Maintain an active medication management caseload
• Complete documentation within agency timelines
• Be available for same-day clinical consults
• Support therapists in maintaining group participation
• Function as an integrated member of the treatment team