Nurse Practitioner (SUD)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

JOB LOCATION: GALT, CA

• Conduct comprehensive histories, physical assessments, and diagnostic evaluations for all new clients. 
• Diagnose substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions within scope of practice using current clinical standards. 
• Assess medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial factors affecting admission, treatment planning, and ongoing care. 
• Evaluate suicide risk, self-harm, disruptive behavior, and withdrawal complications. 

Withdrawal Management & Medical Oversight  

• Assess clients for withdrawal risk on admission and throughout treatment. 
• Provide clinical oversight for withdrawal symptoms and collaborate with nursing staff on symptom monitoring and escalation. 
• Develop and adjust withdrawal-management protocols consistent with evidence-based practices and program policy. 

Medication Management  

• Evaluate, prescribe, and manage medications, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), in accordance with licensure, furnishing authority, and program policy. 
• Monitor medication efficacy, side effects, and interactions with substances or other prescribed medications. 
• Adjust clinical plans based on treatment response, emerging symptoms, and client safety needs. 
• Coordinate referral to psychiatry or other specialists when higher-acuity medication management is indicated. 

Ongoing Client Care

• Conduct follow-up visits as clinically indicated to evaluate response to treatment and medical stability. 
• Modify treatment interventions based on clinical progress, relapse risk, and withdrawal status. 
• Provide crisis intervention and clinical stabilization support when needed. 
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and level-of-care discussions. 
• Collaborate with counseling staff regarding assessment results, treatment needs, and discharge planning. 

Documentation & Compliance  

• Complete all clinical documentation timely, accurate, and compliant with regulatory standards. 
• Document all assessments, diagnoses, medication changes, clinical decisions, and client progress. 
• Ensure compliance with state licensing, accreditation standards (CARF), and ASAM guidelines. 
• Maintain records suitable for audits, reimbursements, and quality assurance reviews. 
• Complete all disability forms within the required time frame. 
• Work in conjunction with the nursing staff to ensure that documentation is complete and meets all regulatory standards and that all medication orders are correct 

Collaboration & Communication  

• Collaborate closely with counselors, case managers, nursing staff, program leadership, and the medical director. 
• Provide consultation to staff regarding client care needs, clinical risks, and treatment recommendations. 
• Communicate with family members and external providers when appropriate and authorized. 
• Refer clients to primary care, psychiatry, or specialty services as needed. 
• Coordinate chronic-medication issues and care transitions with outside prescribers. 

Program Support & Quality Improvement  

• Participate in program meetings, conferences, and program development activities. 
• Attend all training sessions. 
• Assist in creating or updating medical policies and procedures as needed. 
• Support quality improvement efforts, including chart audits and performance reviews. 
• Adhere to all licensing and county regulations/standards.
• Adhere to all auditing requirements following county and licensing audits 

Requirements:

 

• Current California Nurse Practitioner license in good standing. 
• Graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program with national certification appropriate to specialty. 
• Meets applicable California requirements for Nurse Practitioner practice, including furnishing authority and registration requirements as applicable to the position. 
• Minimum two (2) years of clinical experience preferred in addiction medicine, behavioral health, psychiatry, family medicine, emergency medicine, or residential substance use disorder treatment. 
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, withdrawal management, detox support, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). 
• Knowledge of Department of Health Care Services residential treatment requirements and Incidental Medical Services standards when applicable. 
• Ability to perform comprehensive clinical evaluations, prescribe and manage medications within scope, and provide follow-up care. 
• Ability to complete timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation. 
• Current BLS/CPR certification required; ACLS preferred if required by program policy. 
• Must be free of Medicare, Medicaid, and state program exclusion or sanction. 
• Must meet pre-employment health screening, tuberculosis clearance, background check, and credentialing requirements.