Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

Job Description

At New Directions Northwest in Baker City, our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners play a vital role in delivering compassionate, high-quality mental health care to individuals across our community. As a PMHNP, you will provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and collaborative treatment planning?helping clients achieve stability, recovery, and improved quality of life.

New Directions Northwest is committed to supporting the professionals who make this work possible. We offer competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a supportive, team-based environment that values clinical expertise, autonomy, and work-life balance. Our integrated care model allows PMHNPs to work closely with counselors, case managers, and crisis teams to ensure coordinated, client-centered care.

If you are driven by clinical excellence, compassion, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in a rural community, New Directions Northwest in Baker City offers an opportunity to practice at the top of your license while truly changing lives.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and medication management services to adults and youth in multiple behavioral health settings, including outpatient, addiction residential, detox, crisis respite, and correctional/jail-based programs.

The PMHNP ensures all care is compliant with OAR 309-019 (outpatient standards), OAR 309-018 (residential and detox standards), and the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) scope of practice. The position also ensures adherence to MHACBO ethical standards for integrated behavioral health and addiction care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Clinical Evaluation & Treatment

• Conducts comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic assessments, and risk screenings.

• Develops individualized medication and treatment plans consistent with OAR 309-019 and OAR 309-018 standards.

• Provides Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including Suboxone and other FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for substance use disorders.

• Evaluates and manages mental health and co-occurring disorders in outpatient, residential, detox, and crisis respite settings.

• Coordinates with jail staff and behavioral health providers to deliver psychiatric care to incarcerated individuals.

2. Medication Management

• Prescribes, monitors, and adjusts psychiatric and addiction-related medications according to clinical guidelines.

• Ensures all prescriptions, MARs, and medication orders are documented in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) accurately and timely.

• Responds promptly to refill requests and pharmacy communications.

• Monitors for adverse effects, withdrawal symptoms, or medication non-adherence.

• Provides patient education regarding medications, potential side effects, and adherence strategies.

3. Coordination of Care

• Collaborates with therapists, RNs, case managers, and addiction counselors to ensure integrated, team-based care.

• Maintains communication with external prescribers, primary care providers, hospitals, and specialty clinics for continuity of care.

• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and care planning.

• Refers clients appropriately for higher or lower levels of care as clinically indicated.

4. Documentation & Reporting

• Completes progress notes, treatment plans, and medication records consistent with OAR 309-019-0130 and OAR 309-018-0105 documentation standards.

• Documents all encounters within required timeframes, ensuring compliance for billing, audits, and quality review.

• Documentation completed within 36 hours of start of service?

• Maintains accurate medication logs, prescribing records, and encounter summaries.

• Ensures documentation meets OHA, OSBN, MHACBO, and HIPAA requirements.

5. Compliance & Ethics

• Practices in alignment with OAR 851-050 (OSBN Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice).

• Adheres to the MHACBO Code of Conduct and Ethics and Oregon State Board of Nursing ethical guidelines.

• Maintains confidentiality under OAR 309-019-0115, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.

• Reports suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with ORS 419B.010 and 430.765.

• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and clinical peer review as requested.

6. Professional Conduct & Collaboration

• Demonstrates clear, respectful, and professional communication with clients, staff, and external partners.

• Participates in clinical meetings, case staffings, and continuing education opportunities.

• Maintains a cooperative working relationship with all program areas to ensure quality care transitions between outpatient, residential, and crisis programs.

• Consults with the Medical Director and other prescribers as needed for case review or medication coordination.

7. Attendance & Workplace Standards

• Maintains reliable, in-person attendance as an essential job function.

• Requests vacation and personal leave at least 30 days in advance.

• Complies with BOLI OAR 839-020 regarding work hours, rest, and meal periods.

• Submits time documentation and clinical records promptly.

• Adheres to New Directions Northwest professional standards for workplace behavior, dress, and safety.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensure: Active Oregon Nurse Practitioner (NP) license with Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP) certification.

• DEA registration for prescribing controlled substances.

• Buprenorphine waiver (DATA 2000 / MAT authorization) preferred or ability to obtain within 90 days.

• Minimum two (2) years of psychiatric experience in behavioral health or addiction treatment.

• Familiarity with OAR 309-019 and OAR 309-018 program standards.

• Strong knowledge of DSM-5, ASAM Criteria, and trauma-informed care.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work in a multidisciplinary setting.

• Must pass background check under OAR 407-007-0200 to 407-007-0370

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing MAT in detox or jail-based environments.

• Familiarity with EHR systems and integrated documentation workflows.

• Experience in rural or frontier behavioral health settings.

Work Environment

• Clinical work may occur in outpatient clinics, residential programs, medical detox units, crisis respite centers, or jail facilities.

• May involve limited travel between program sites.

• Must adhere to all facility and infection-control safety requirements.

Supervision

Reports To: Clinical Director