Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Description

Purpose of Position/Summary:

This position works as a member of the professional medical staff of Evansville campuses and will abide by medical by-laws and all hospital rules and regulations. Incumbent will work within the scope of their educational preparation and experience and within the guidelines of the state of Indiana Nurse Licensing Board to provide quality professional care to assigned patients and will be eligible for prescription authority. When necessary, the incumbent will assist other health care personnel in responding to and managing emergencies.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

•Perform work under the direction of the Medical Director, work is reviewed through consultations with the collaborative physician or Medical Director;

•Focus full effort and attention to supporting the organization's mission, proper functioning of the units and delivering quality patient care by utilizing provided resources.

•Perform, independent of physician direction, advanced practice nursing psychiatric mental health or primary health care determining diagnoses, medication management, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies such as X-Rays, EKG's , EEG's, UA, and blood chemistries; prescribing therapies and wellness activities; referring patients to appropriate health care providers when indicated.

•Prescribe medication and treatment within practice guidelines and possess the necessary DEA and Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) specific to the State of Indiana;

•Provide initial emergency care such as CPR and alert appropriate emergency providers;

•Provide consultation through collaboration with a variety of health care professionals and interdisciplinary team members in the areas of nursing practice, patient care, health education, patient care delivery system, program/project development and professional development; provide clinical direction to nursing and direct care staff in coordination to Advance Practice Nursing guidelines.

•Lead and direct nursing staff in the design, coordination and evaluation of research to improve clinical practice and delivery of health care for patients; direct or participate in the oversight and application of research and quality assurance projects;

•May develop educational programs for individual patients and patient groups appropriate to health problems, level of functioning, emotional needs and patient characteristics;

•Maintain accurate records to reflect and assume accountability for clinical decisions and actions. i.e. psychiatric evaluations weekly/monthly progress notes, medication reconciliation, restraint face to face documentation, computerized order entry, discharge planning, etc.

•Participate in the admission and discharge planning process.

•Provide coverage for restraint assessments as assigned.

•Participate in treatment team meetings, and other assigned meetings.

•Attends and participates in routine supervisory meeting with physician collaborator accepting performance feedback and implementing into practice.

•Assist in training and orienting incoming medical staff members.

•Adheres to all Hospital, DMHA, and SPD policies.

•Working hours will be determined based on the direction and approval of the Medical Director and Superintendent based on need of the facility. Coverage must be maintained to ensure facility needs are meet.

•Uses technology to chart electronic information.

•Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Master's degree in Nursing from an accredited college as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner.

• Possession of a valid Registered Nurse license issued by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

• Possession of a valid Controlled Substance Permit and Drug Enforcement Administration Permit.

• Must obtain CPR and Bridge Building certification, demonstrate ability to perform techniques, and maintain certification throughout employment.

• Application of conceptual theory-based knowledge to manage clients' health care status, including pathophysiology, nursing theory, life span development, and family development and interaction theory, and assure optimal care for clients;

• Specialized knowledge of and ability to utilize the full range of accepted professional nursing principles and practices within in-patient care;

• Working knowledge of psychology relative to handling and caring for psychiatric treatment as provided in nursing education;

• Possess a high degree of skill in providing patient care and in reacting effectively in emergency situations;

• Ability to communicate with patients regarding medical and nursing procedures and patient conditions;

• Working knowledge of State Board of Health laws and regulations pertaining to institutional care of patients;

• Ability to interpret, give and follow oral and written directions;

• Ability to develop and apply nursing care plans;

• Ability to provide guidance to staff nurses;

• Ability to organize and review the work of staff;

• Ability to coordinate the activities of others.

• Uses technology for charting patient information.

Difficulty of Work:

Must possess extensive knowledge of agency programs, policies, procedures, program objectives, consumer needs, federal and state requirements and all related initiatives essential for the management, development and implementation of processes to ensure fiscal integrity. Judgment is needed to effectively recommend and ensure implementation of policies and procedures and the facilitation of complex process changes. Incumbent must be innovative, persuasive, and understand the importance of checks and balances to provide accountability in fiscal matters. Incumbent must use judgment in selecting and applying guidelines consistently to difficult and different problems such as those that may arise from large, complex contracts/accounts. Incumbent must have the ability to identify and recommend resolutions to complex problems or situations regarding fiscal matters.

Responsibility:

Incumbent works independently and has final authority (with the collaborative agreement) for care prescribed to assigned patients. May request directions from physician(s) when situations arise that are outside of the scope of practice. Incumbent must ensure that medical care provided is within the State Board of Health Laws and Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations regulations and guidelines. Incumbent is administratively supervised by the Medical Director.

Work is broad in scope involving application of a full range of specialized nursing skills and utilization of professional judgment in collecting, evaluating and acting on subjective and objective medical information. Decisions are sometimes complicated by the psychological condition of the patient (the patient's ability to comprehend and communicate their medical information to the clinician).

Personal Work Relationships:

Incumbent is responsible for developing a rapport with patients and their families in order to provide good patient care. Incumbent must also work with other staff members for the purpose of sharing and

gathering information and functioning as part of the interdisciplinary team. Incumbent also serves in a training capacity with patients and, at times, with staff. Incumbent provides clinical direction to nursing staff. Incumbent may refer patients to outside medical providers and will confer with providers regarding diagnosis and possible treatment.

Physical Effort:

Involves sitting, lifting, bending, stooping, walking, and standing. Ability to perform Bridge Building interventions and CPR is required

Working Conditions:

Works in a psychiatric hospital. At times, the incumbent may be required to work different areas on or off grounds. Potential for physical injury related to patient behavior and management of that behavior.