Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Purpose of Position/Summary:
This position works as a member of the professional medical staff 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 IN 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;
Perform, independent of physician direction, advanced practice nursing in primary health care including, but not limited to: elicit patient health histories; perform physical examinations; establish diagnosis for short-term; common acute or chronic conditions; order, perform and interpret diagnostic studies; order tests such as X-Rays, EKG's, EEG's and blood chemistries; perform invasive procedures, including but not limited to, stool cultures; throat cultures; vaginal/cervical cultures, pap smears and rectal exams; perform minor therapeutic/corrective measures, suture placement and removal, dressing changes; prescribe therapies, wellness activities and refer 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 client;
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;
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;
Develop educational programs for individual patients and patient groups appropriate to health problems, level of functioning, emotional needs and patient characteristics;
Organize and coordinate specialty clinics at the facility (i.e., seizure management, hypertension, diabetes, etc.) in conjunction with the medical staff;
Provide clinical direction to nursing and direct care staff in the same manner that a Physician would;
Maintain accurate records to reflect and assume accountability for clinical decisions and actions.

Job Requirements:
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 emotionally disturbed patients and those with abnormal mental and behavioral patterns 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.

Skill - Required / Desired
Active IN Nurse Licensing Board approval, working within NP scope of practice - Required
DEA registration and IN Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) for prescribing - Required
Working knowledge of psychology for managing emotionally disturbed or behaviorally abnormal patients - Required
Experience w/Independent primary care practice: health histories, physical exams, diagnosis of acute/chronic conditions - Required
Experience w/Invasive procedures: cultures, pap smears, rectal exams, suturing, dressing changes - Required
Bridge building certification. - Required
CPR certification. - Required
Prior experience providing clinical direction to nursing and direct care staff. - Required

Responsibility:
Incumbent works independently and has final authority 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:
Works in hospital. Walking, running, standing, bending, lifting and bridge building certification are required. Physical effort may be required to provide assistance if needed to control patients.

Working Conditions:
Works with staff of all levels within the hospital and with patients, their families and the public. Dealings with patients are for the purpose of medical treatment, assisting with treatment, controlling adverse behavior or dealing with emergencies. Dealings with staff contacts are for the purpose of maintaining effective, consistent performance levels throughout the nursing department. These contacts frequently involve non-cooperative, persuasive discussions.

Notes:
Onsite
Position is for 4-7 hour days. No on-call is required.