Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

JOB SUMMARY The general duty of the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is to provide professional clinical services under the direction of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Primary Care Provider (PCP). The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who provides a wide range of health services, including urgent and emergent evaluation of episodic and chronic problems and comprehensive, integrated primary health care that addresses a majority of the client’s health care needs on an ongoing basis. The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is knowledgeable in the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of a comprehensive range of health care problems; emergency measures; preventive health; prescribing medications and other treatments; ordering, conducting, and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies and procedures; and patient and family education using community, social, and health resources. The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner maintains knowledge of current practice, acts as a role model and mentor to other APRNs, acts as a client advocate, and participates in professional activities at local and state level. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Provides primary and preventive medical care to meet the needs (physical, mental, and emotional) of patients under a limited scope of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and within his/her skills and training. Provides specialized mental health care, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Prescribes medications based on the Veteran’s mental health diagnosis. Follows and manages Veterans’ mental health needs over time. Transitions Veteran care back to Primary Care when mental health stabilization is achieved. Provides medical patient care to the scope and standards of practice established by a nationally recognized credentialing organization representing Nurse Practitioners. Functions within the scope of practice of the state Nurse Practice Act (NPA), the Joint Commission standards, the VA Medical Center guidelines, and Officer of the Inspector General. Works closely with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) and extended support staff including daily huddles with the team. Emphasizes wellness, prevention, and early detection. Supervises support staff in delivery of care to patients. Maintains universal precautions and infection control practices. Provides smooth and timely flow of patients in accordance with the Veteran Administration’s (VA) access standards and triage protocol. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and assists during respiratory and cardiac arrest procedures. Investigates health problems or health needs by gathering and assessing historical information. Performs a physical examination appropriate to the patient's history. Diagnoses health problems based on interpretation of the patient's history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic test results. Develops a treatment plan, tailored to the patient's needs, which includes health education, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment. Prescribes medications, as appropriate. Evaluates the results of the treatment plan, modifying the plan as needed to achieve the treatment goals. Makes referrals for specialty evaluation or treatment. Directs and coordinates the provision of health care services for patients in primary care, i.e., walk-in patients. Provides a model for clinical practice within the clinic setting. Sets up and operates therapeutic and emergency equipment, including monitor, electrocardiogram (EKG), oxygen, automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) and portable suction. Obtains patient history on new and follow-up and records appropriate findings according to VA standards. Performs initial and periodic physical examinations within limits of privileges and records findings. Orders diagnostic tests according to the chief complaint, physical and emotional/mental findings and symptoms. Demonstrates the knowledge of pharmacology. Prescribes and administers medication within limits of privileges and state and federal regulations. Recommends and follows up on laboratory tests and specialized diagnostic procedures, as deemed necessary. Documents all pertinent patient information in the medical records and Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to demonstrate quality care delivery and promote continuity of care. Keeps the VISTA clinic reminder tracking system current for each enrolled patient. Closes patient charts within 24‑72 hours of encounter and places Return to Clinic (RTC) orders promptly. Assists in scheduling patients for initial and follow-up appointments in accordance with the VA’s access standards and the patient’s medical necessity. Keeps patients informed of their plan of care, including lab and diagnostic test results as needed. Provides health educational materials, resources and education to patients and their families for informational purposes and in accordance with their needs and learning capacity. Assists the Registered Nurse to ensure all patient information on electronic encounter documentation is complete and accurate. Complies with all federal, state, local, Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Veteran Affairs, and subcontractor safety and operational regulations, directives and standards. Participates in the ongoing Performance Improvement Program between the VAMC and STGi Performance Excellence program including regularly scheduled peer reviews. Ensures that all required reports and clinical information is completed in an accurate, timely and complete fashion. Participates in staff development programs. Maintains confidentiality of all information and supports patients’ privacy, rights, and safety. Aids in management/coordination of the CBOC’s day‑to‑day activity. Performs other clinical duties assigned within limits of privileges. #J-18808-Ljbffr