Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Position Overview

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) provides evidence-based, strength-focused, culturally sensitive psychiatric care in an outpatient behavioral health setting. The role involves psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, medication management, supportive therapy, care coordination, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

The PMHNP is responsible for delivering compassionate, high-quality care while maintaining accurate clinical documentation and complying with applicable state and federal regulations.

Key Responsibilities Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, current, and complete clinical records in accordance with established standards.
• Use electronic health records and electronic prescribing systems accurately and efficiently.
• Complete required documentation and administrative activities in a timely manner.
• Participate in required quality assessment and improvement activities.
• Attend scheduled clinical and administrative meetings.
• Participate in committees or other organizational activities as required.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive face-to-face psychiatric assessments, including:
  • Psychiatric history
  • Medication history
  • Mental status examination
  • Psychiatric formulation
  • Diagnosis using current DSM criteria
  • Written treatment plan
• Manage medication follow-up visits for an assigned caseload.
• Evaluate, initiate, adjust, and monitor psychiatric medications within the provider's scope of practice.
• Provide supportive therapy and other appropriate behavioral health interventions.
• Provide emergency psychiatric assessments, consultations, and medication prescribing as needed.
• Consult with physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals regarding psychiatric and medical concerns.
• Coordinate appropriate community-based and behavioral health services.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Provide care consistent with applicable professional standards, laws, regulations, and scope of practice.
• Maintain appropriate prescriptive authority and prescribe medications, including controlled substances, within the limits of applicable laws, training, and clinical expertise.
• Perform other clinical duties appropriate to the position and scope of practice.
• Patient Population and Clinical Scope
• The PMHNP should be comfortable providing services to patients across a broad range of behavioral health presentations, including:
• Severe and persistent mental illness
• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychotic disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Co-occurring behavioral health conditions
• Other psychiatric and behavioral health diagnoses
• Experience providing clinical services to patients of different age groups is expected.

Required Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted Advanced Practice Nurse/APRN license in Colorado and in good standing.
• Graduate degree in nursing from an accredited academic institution.
• Current listing on the appropriate Advanced Practice Registry as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Prescriptive authority consistent with applicable state and federal laws.
• Meets all applicable Colorado statutory and regulatory requirements for advanced practice psychiatric nursing.
• Experience working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Experience in or familiarity with integrated primary care or behavioral healthcare settings.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Experience and comfort treating a broad range of behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorders.
• Experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing clinical needs.
• Strong clinical documentation skills.
• Computer proficiency and ability to use electronic health records.
• Valid Colorado driver's license and reliable transportation when required for work-related travel.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of supervised experience using medications commonly prescribed within psychiatric practice.
• Advanced knowledge of psychiatric nursing principles.
• Advanced knowledge of psychiatric medications and medication interactions, including medication-medication and medication-food interactions.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in psychiatric assessment.
• Advanced experience in ongoing psychopharmacological treatment and medication management.
• Spanish language proficiency.

Professional Expectations

The PMHNP is expected to:

• Adapt effectively to changes in the clinical environment.
• Take ownership of problems and participate in identifying practical solutions.
• Exercise sound clinical judgment and demonstrate appropriate follow-through.
• Maintain current knowledge and skills necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Demonstrate a willingness to assume additional responsibilities within the appropriate scope of practice.
• Promote collaborative teamwork and respectful professional relationships.
• Demonstrate compassion, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries when interacting with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with members of the healthcare team.
• Maintain flexibility and professionalism in a variety of clinical situations.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand, sit, walk, and drive for prolonged periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful or emergent situations.
• Frequent use of computers and other office equipment for clinical documentation and patient care.
• Frequent communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids in the course of clinical duties.
• Ability to travel between clinical locations when required.
• Ability to drive safely in adverse weather conditions when work-related travel is necessary.

Regulatory and Scope-of-Practice Requirements

• The PMHNP must practice within the limits established by applicable Colorado statutes, regulations, professional standards, and organizational policies.
• Prescriptive authority, including the prescribing of controlled substances, must remain within the provider's education, training, clinical expertise, and legally authorized scope of practice.