Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is a Colorado technology-powered behavioral health organization offering seamless digital health and in-home services. Paragon offers comprehensive care that is convenient for where people live. Our vision is to provide services to families with complex needs, help resolve challenges, and obtain skills and resources to achieve well-being. Paragon’s comprehensive services support youth and families through challenges as they step down from inpatient hospitalization, comprehensive support for child welfare-involved families, and services for youth with complex needs including depression, behavioral challenges, trauma, family conflict, and substance use.

We are actively seeking a dedicated Prescriptive Authority Nurse Practitioner. Initially, compensation will be based on hourly demand. There is potential for a transition to full-time employment within the next 6-12 months.

Why Join Paragon? 

We are not regionally based, which means we are able to provide services to those in need statewide. This means you can support not only those who live in your region but those who have a harder time accessing care in rural communities of Colorado as well. 

Autonomous Environment: You are able to create your own systems for managing and accomplishing tasks, use creative problem solving, and have the ability to work independently – as long as the end product of your efforts meets organizational goals. 

Collaboration and Teamwork: Communicate, collaborate, and touch base with a wide variety of other team members, to ensure alignment of quality care and outcomes for clients. 

Benefits: At Paragon BHC, we understand the importance of flexibility and growth for our employees. Initially, compensation is based on hourly demand, allowing for adaptability to varying workloads. However, we also prioritize long-term stability and career development. Employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week become eligible for comprehensive benefits provided by Paragon BHC, with the potential for transition to full-time employment within the next 6-12 months. These benefits include health, dental, vision, short-term/long-term disability, and life insurance coverage, all of which are covered at 100% by the employer. These benefits are offered through reputable providers such as United Health Care, Delta Dental, and Principal. Additionally, the company extends health coverage to the employees' families, ensuring that not only the employees but also their families receive complete health coverage. Rest assured, you will receive your full salary, post-tax deductions, thanks to this extensive coverage. 

Career Development: Paragon is consistently growing and that means there is room for growth. As we expand our services and community reach staff can grow in their areas of interest and expertise. 

Job Description: Prescriptive Authority Nurse Practitioner

Position Overview 

General Purpose:

The Perspective Authority Nurse Practitioner (PANP) will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive behavioral health care services to individuals seeking support and treatment from Paragon Behavioral Health Connections. This position requires advanced clinical expertise, leadership skills, and an unwavering commitment to improving the mental well-being of our clients. The PANP will collaborate with multi-disciplinary professionals to ensure the best possible patient care and outcomes. The Perspective Authority Nurse Practitioner will be responsible for clinical decision-making, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and managing patient care. The PANP reports to the Chief Medical Officer and has direct reports.

Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Responsible for providing psychiatric services to clients in a variety of clinical settings during scheduled hours. The scope of services includes outpatient psychiatric evaluations and medication management services.
• Assess, diagnose, and treat adults, adolescents, and children experiencing symptoms of behavioral health disorders.
• Offer psychoeducation to patients and their families, enhancing their understanding of mental health conditions and empowering them to actively participate in their treatment journey.
• Prescribe, recommend, or discontinue drugs and treatments to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders in accordance with the Collaborative Practice Agreement and the state’s Nurse Practice Act.
• Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, to coordinate holistic care for patients.
• Responsible for timely and accurate completion of medical records, including assessment, treatment plan, progress notes, outcome measures, and billing entries.
• Counsel clients during appointments, as necessary.
• Design/participate in the development of individualized treatment plans, incorporating best and leading practices into treatment interventions.
• Examine or order laboratory or diagnostic tests for clients to provide information on general physical condition and mental disorders.
• Prepare and submit assessments, progress notes, reports, and summaries to entities/agencies (funders, insurance companies, etc.) as required.
• Responsible for making independent decisions based on protocols developed utilizing national guidelines for treatment interventions.
• Responsible for maintaining customer relations with all agency staff and clients.
• Records all services performed for accurate billing for services provided in compliance with all local, state and federal laws, as well as payor rules and regulations. Submits billing documents in a timely fashion.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Provides teaching and education to clinical staff. 
• Contribute to ongoing quality improvement initiatives within the organization, actively seeking feedback and implementing innovative strategies to enhance service delivery.
• Return calls and emails promptly (within 24 hours of receipt or sooner if clinically necessary)

Supervisory Duties: 

• None

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Proven experience working in a behavioral health care setting, preferably within a nonprofit organization.
• In-depth knowledge of mental health disorders, psychiatric medications, and evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Strong clinical assessment skills and the ability to make accurate diagnoses.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build therapeutic relationships with patients and collaborate effectively with the treatment team.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines efficiently.
• Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems and other relevant software applications.
• Proven ability to work with a high level of independence using considerable judgment and initiative, maintaining confidentiality, managing time effectively, and analyzing and resolving problems.
• Practice cultural awareness and commitment to diversity and equity. 
• Ability to meet with family, teachers, counselors, employers, and others involved in the youth’s various programs at various times of the day, night, and weekends.

Education:

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Nursing with a specialization in psychiatric/mental health.

Experience:

• At least 1-2 years providing direct client care to persons receiving treatment for psychiatric disorders.
• Ability to work with both adult and youth/child populations.

Preferred Experience:

• 3 years of experience as a psychiatric provider.
• Experience in telemedicine.
• A bi-lingual (Spanish-speaking) applicant is preferred.

Additional Requirements/Licenses/Certifications:

• Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Colorado.
• Board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
• A valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance are required.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand, lift, bend, walk and reach.
• Some occasional filing is required; it would require the ability to reach for and lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a small stool, as necessary.
• Ability to use the electronic health record system. 
• Ability to operate an automobile.
• Requires reaching with arms and hands, having good manual dexterity, using hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, handle or feel
• Ability to hear alarms/telephones/normal speaking voice.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Physical effort is generally not required; however, light physical effort may be required by moving and positioning objects up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or 10 pounds frequently. 

Job Type: Full-time / Hourly

Hourly rate equivalent: $150,000 per year ($72.12 hourly)

Paragon is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply, including those with criminal records.

Traveling to clients' homes and communities is a requirement of this role; please indicate your comfort level by providing in-home services in your application.