Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Volunteers of America, Utah's mission is to provide community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. Our programs serve people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness. We encourage all who are passionate about making a difference, including individuals with lived experience, to apply.

Early, coordinated care during the first years of psychosis can change the course of recovery. As a PMHNP on our PREP mobile team, you'll help people experiencing a first episode of psychosis, or who are at clinical high risk for developing it, during the two-year window that matters most.

Creekside is a 20-bed, medically monitored psychiatric subacute residential program for adults stepping down from state or psychiatric hospital care. You'll help patients move toward a safe, timely transition to a less restrictive level of care. You'll also work across other agency programs, with supervision from the Medical Director.

Why Join Us

• Clinical supervision from the Medical Director, and a team that includes therapy, occupational therapy, case management, vocational, and peer support staff.
• Lived experience is valued: we encourage people with lived experience to apply.
• Full-time role across PREP, subacute, and other programs, so your work isn't limited to a single setting.

Your Role

You'll conduct psychiatric assessments, manage psychotropic medications, and treat adults and teens with serious mental illness and co-occurring conditions, including substance use disorder, across these programs:

• PREP (Prevention and Recovery from Early Psychosis): a two-year mobile team providing community-based care. Services include medication management, individual therapy, occupational therapy, case management, vocational support, and peer support.
• Creekside Psychiatric Subacute: a 20-bed medically monitored residential program for patients stepping down from state or psychiatric hospital care.
• Other agency programs, based on need.

What You'll Do

• Conduct psychiatric assessments covering history, mental status, diagnosis, substance use, functioning, and physical health, and refer to primary and specialty care as needed.
• Prescribe, monitor, and adjust psychotropic medications, including first-episode psychosis treatment in PREP, tracking response, side effects, and adherence.
• Assess and treat co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, including addiction treatment prescribing.
• Coordinate with PREP's therapy, occupational therapy, case management, vocational, and peer support staff.
• Complete the LOCUS (Level of Care Utilization System), a standardized assessment that rates a patient's needs to determine the appropriate level of care, and document medical necessity for subacute placement. Conduct suicide risk assessments (C-SSRS) with safety planning.
• Take part in treatment planning, reviews, and discharge and step-down planning, and teach clients and staff about medications and side effects.
• Write progress notes, discharge summaries, warm handoffs, and insurance authorizations on time. Complete controlled substance checks (DOPL/Utah Controlled Substance Database), and take part in medication peer review, CARF reporting, and quality improvement.
• Provide crisis intervention and on-call coverage to Creekside.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees.
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service. Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible.

Requirements

Required

• Master's or DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing; current national PMHNP certification (PMHNP-BC or equivalent).
• Current, unrestricted Utah APRN license and prescriptive authority; Utah controlled substance license and DEA registration.
• Current BLS certification or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Must meet payer enrollment and credentialing requirements for psychiatric evaluation and medication management services.
• Ability to keep professional boundaries and confidentiality under Utah law.
• Must pass Utah DHHS Office of Licensing background screening and a pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred

• Experience in early psychosis, inpatient, residential, or community psychiatry.
• Experience with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Strong crisis intervention skills and clear written and verbal communication.
• Familiarity with level-of-care assessment tools such as LOCUS; training will be provided.

Physical Demands

Ability to move around the facility and interact with clients for extended periods.