Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, ICR

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

Program Description

Community Access's OMH licensed Intensive Crisis Residence (ICR) is inspired by the Soteria model and is designed as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for people going through an acute psychiatric crisis and who would benefit from a respite period in a stabilizing, home-like environment with 24-hour peer support and treatment services. The Soteria ICR will work with guests for up to 28 days to help them develop awareness and skills that will allow them to return to the community with an increased ability to manage their mental health concerns. The ICR will follow a Soteria model which emphasizes shared running of a home-like environment, positive expectations of recovery, validation of subjective experiences, the concept of "being with" a person, providing 1:1 support, 24 hours a day, and self-determination. Services are completely voluntary, and guests are encouraged to maintain their daily responsibilities and activities in the community during their stay including work, school, family care, recreation, and wellness appointments. The program works with guests throughout their stay on discharge planning focused on safety and wellness, and provides post-discharge follow up health resource navigation support.

Position Overview

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) collaborates with the ICR team and with the psychiatrist in providing the clinical components of the ICR in keeping with the core principles inspired by the Soteria model. These principles emphasize a holistic, recovery-oriented approach that is integrated with the program's foundational peer support and utilizes the minimum necessary psychiatric medication. The PNP will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, prescribing medication, monitoring medication side effects, providing psychopharmacology, and facilitating the recovery process of ICR guests. The PNP will provide 20 hours per week on-site services. Additionally, on a rotating schedule with the psychiatrist, the PNP has a 24/7 on-call schedule, providing up to 4 hours' of remote work per week, if needed for emergency support. With supervisory support from the psychiatrist, the PNP has discretion for exercising independent, professional judgment in carrying out details of the job.

Key Performance Indicators

• Complete progress notes for all contacts, collaterals, and engagement attempts within 2 business days.
• Complete assigned psychiatric evaluations on time.

Job Qualifications

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Must hold all and any active New York State licensures to perform essential prescribing and medication management services
• At least two years of PNP experience in public health, mental health, or psychiatric nursing in a position requiring the provision of direct service to participants in the community.
• Prior experience working with substance abuse, infectious and chronic diseases, and community health nursing is an asset.
• Lived experience using mental health services, preferred
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
• Commitment to recovery-oriented practice.
• Be skilled in conflict mediation/negotiation and have an assertive approach to problem solving.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Be creative and flexible.
• Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred. Ability to speak other relevant languages a strong asset

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.