Vista PACE- PACE Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Position Summary:

The PACE Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is responsible for supporting behavioral health care provided in primary care settings by a team comprised of primary care physicians, psychiatrists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and behavioral health clinicians. This psychiatric consultant is responsible for performing psychiatric assessments, medication management, and diagnostic evaluations of patients. Brief evidenced-based pharmacologic services are provided to older adults in the primary care setting. This provider also works in a consultant role with behavioral health clinicians and PCPs to develop and implement sound treatment plans for patients with physical health, mental health and/or substance use issues. Responds to and provides crisis intervention services when needed; Ensures behavioral health services are delivered in a culturally appropriate fashion and is consistent with State of California laws and regulations, professional standards of care, agency guidelines, and professional ethical guidelines.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Provide direct psychiatric evaluation and evidenced-based pharmacologic treatment, focusing on patients with diagnostic or therapeutic challenges identified in discussion with the patient’s BH clinician and / or PCP.
• Provides consultation to clinical staff and primary care providers (PCPs) as needed regarding the patient’s care, treatment recommendations and progress via documentation in the patient’s medical record, and in face to face or telephonic consultation.
• Actively participates in Quality Assurance activities of the Division with regard to treatment Utilization Review, medication monitoring, peer review, procedures, and processes.
• Completes all required documentation in a timely fashion including the preparation of reports and written documentation, notes, and medical records, a other forms, and documents as required by the department, company, state, and federal agencies.
• Participate in the development and delivery of in‐service training for primary care‐based providers including medical residents and staff regarding the current understanding of best practices for the recognition and treatment of behavioral health conditions in primary care as requested.
• Performs crisis interventions as needed including but not limited to conducting suicide assessments and making recommendations to medical providers and patients; determines if crisis response services are appropriate for patient safety.
• Works in coordination with the Chief Behavioral Health Officer and PACE Director of Behavioral Health to ensure full integration of services and team-based approach to care.
• Participate in meetings as required and participate on committees as directed.
• If psychiatric NP, DNP, or PA, participates in regularly scheduled supervision by a psychiatrist on an ongoing basis for professional development and complex case reviews.
• Maintains productivity expectations in accordance with clinic/program guidelines. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental and health center-wide policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Ability to organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with underserved communities.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff, and the public.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops
• Assist in providing supervision of interns and/or unlicensed staff under the specification of license held as requested.
• Coordinate with other consulting psychiatrists and/or PCPs for vacation coverage as needed to ensure continuity of patient care.

Job Requirements

Education Required:

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner  

Certifications Required:

• Certification of successful completion of PMHNP graduate program.
• Nurse Practitioner unrestricted Licensure and Furnishing number to practice in the state of California by date of hire.
• DEA license by date of hire.
• Successful completion or expected completion by hire date of the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certification board exam.
• BLS certification.

Experience Required:

• One year of outpatient experience in a community setting.
• Sensitivity to multi-cultural concerns and the psychotherapeutic process required.
• Experience with primary care psychiatry or consultation‐liaison psychiatry desired.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Fluency in English and Spanish required, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Supervisory Experience:

• Supervision of medical assistants.

Technical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of rehabilitation and recovery treatment modalities.
• Integrated Treatment and Care for individuals with co-occurring disorders. Demonstrate the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with minority communities.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity.
• Knowledge of behavioral medicine, health psychology, and substance abuse interventions including IMPACT and/or SBIRT model strongly recommended.
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy, and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with a variety of co-occurring disorders.
• Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff, and the public.

Equipment Used:

• Knowledge and comfort with tele-health video platforms and electronic medical record systems.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing, walking and lifting.
• Frequent sitting.
• Must be able to work in an outpatient clinic setting with moderate noise levels and controlled office temperatures.
• Assisting patients transferring from a wheelchair

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.