Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatry, Behavioral Health

Nurse Practitioner

Under limited supervision, provides an advanced level of comprehensive health care to a specific patient population in collaboration with medical staff. Follows established applicable nursing and medical standards, procedures and practices, and gives specific patient care directions to nursing and other support staff.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs medical examinations and evaluations, diagnoses, treatment, follow-up, consultations and health education appropriate for the patient's age and situation.
2. Obtains patient histories and develops patient care charges, ensuring completeness and accuracy of documentation.
3. Orders, obtains and interprets appropriate diagnostic tests.
4. Designs, orders and documents appropriate treatment plans/plans of care including prescriptions of medications based on a comprehensive review of HPI and diagnostic results.
5. Communicates plan of care with appropriate providers including the collaborative physician, the primary care provider, the referring provider, the nursing staff, and the case manager.
6. Communicates plan of care with the patients and family members. Provides patient and family instruction related to the plan of care, disease process, new treatment plans, and medication regimens.
7. Provides medical care for ill and injured patients in accordance with accepted standards of care.
8. Provides health education to patients and families as required and appropriate.
9. Documents medical findings and care provided in the patient's clinical record, including information of laboratory and radiographic studies.
10. Teaches health maintenance procedures and provides educational resources to patients as needed.
11. Collaborates with physician or other health care team members regarding patients' health needs, outcomes and effectiveness of care plan.
12. Initiates appropriate contact with other health care providers as required.
13. Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Education and Experience:

1. Master of Science degree with completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program required.
2. Current state licensure as a Nurse Practitioner required.
3. Current state licensure as a Registered Nurse required.
4. Current BLS certification or obtained prior to providing direct patient care is required.
5. Experience preferred, not required.
6. DEA and CDS eligible.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
2. Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are required to interact with patient families, departmental units, medical and nursing staff on all essential matters. Demonstrated/documented effective interpersonal skills.
3. Maintains updated hospital safety and other mandatory training.
4. Updated immunizations as recommended per practice area.

University of Maryland Medical Center