Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing comprehensive primary healthcare services to incarcerated individuals within an immigration processing center and in collaboration with a physician. This includes diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, managing preventive care, and coordinating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services within a medical home model. 

Location: Stewart Detention Center, 146 Cca Rd, Lumpkin, GA 31815

Hours:  Full-time, 40 hours a week

Comp: Negotiable based on experience

Benefits:

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• 401k w/ 5% match
• PTO

SUMMARY:

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing comprehensive psychiatric services to incarcerated individuals within a correctional facility and with a collaborating physician. This includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services within a medical home model.

The successful applicant should be able to perform all the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements:

Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis:

• Conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations and assessments of incarcerated individuals to determine the presence and severity of mental health disorders.

• Diagnose and classify mental illnesses according to established diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5).

• Assess and evaluate suicide risk, self-harm, and dangerous behaviors among incarcerated individuals.

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and correctional staff to gather relevant information for accurate diagnoses.

Treatment Planning and Implementation:

• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for incarcerated individuals with psychiatric disorders.

• Prescribe appropriate psychiatric medications and monitor their effectiveness and side effects.

• Provide brief psychotherapy and counseling services to incarcerated individuals, using evidence-based therapeutic modalities.

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and ensure a holistic approach to treatment.

• Modify treatment plans as needed based on patients' progress and response to interventions.

Crisis Intervention and Emergency Services:

• Respond to psychiatric emergencies within the correctional facility promptly and efficiently.

• Conduct crisis assessments, provide stabilization, and implement appropriate intervention strategies.

• Collaborate with correctional staff and healthcare team members to implement emergency response protocols.

• Determine the need for a higher level of psychiatric treatment when necessary.

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including primary care physicians, psychologists, social workers, and nurses, to provide integrated care to incarcerated individuals.

• Consult with the interdisciplinary team to develop comprehensive treatment plans for incarcerated individuals with complex psychiatric needs.

• Provide expertise and guidance to correctional staff regarding mental health issues, crisis management, and suicide prevention.

• Participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date psychiatric records for each incarcerated individual, including assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, and progress notes.

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines pertaining to correctional healthcare and patient confidentiality.

• Adhere to the correctional facility's policies and procedures related to documentation and record-keeping.

Education and Training:

• Stay updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric medicine, treatment modalities, and relevant research.

• Engage in continuous professional development and relevant educational activities.

• Provide training and education to correctional staff on mental health topics, crisis management, and de-escalation techniques.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

• Current and unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the state/jurisdiction where the correctional facility is located and DEA.

• Experience in providing psychiatric care or relevant experience in correctional or underserved populations is preferred.

• Strong assessment and diagnostic skills, with the ability to manage a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.

• Proficiency in prescribing medications and therapies under physician supervision.

EEOC Statement:

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.