Mental Health Psychiatric Nurse Practioner - Jefferson County Jail - Birmingham and Bessemer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, assessments and treatment plans in accordance with statutes, regulations and protocols.

• Provides required documentation of services to the Site Medical Director or designee to monitor provision of clinical services.

• Conducts on-site chronic care clinics and sick calls as established by the Site Medical Director, Health Services Administrator or designee.

• Conducts infirmary rounds as established by the Site Medical Director, Health Services Administrator or designee and records encounters in the patient's progress notes.

• Adheres to the established formulary for therapeutic regimens before using non-formulary procedures.

• Responds to a code or health emergency within standard guidelines.

• Conducts pertinent observations and draws logical conclusions, which validate need for non-formulary drug, and submit to the Medical Director for approval.

• Utilizes available in-house resource personnel for treatment or resolution of identified problems before using off-site referral, if possible.

• Provides emergency on-site treatment and responds appropriately in urgent or emergency situations.

• Supports standards of medical care through adherence to existing policies and procedures for: admission to the infirmary, transfer to emergency room; utilization review process for specialty consultant referrals.

• Prescribes a planned regimen of  care, appropriate to the needs of the patient.

• Ensures proper documentation and appropriate care as well as provide emergency treatment on-site and respond appropriately in urgent or emergency situations.

• Consults with other medical providers and recommends treatment protocols to align with FCH’s healthcare standards and policies.

• Educates patients about mental health conditions and treatment options.

• Communicates information to nursing staff, physicians, supervisory personnel or other staff as necessary.

• Participates in onsite trainings, evaluations and monthly staff meetings.

• Ensures compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.

• Performs other duties as assigned to support FCH’s goals, objectives and values.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Knowledge of legal and ethical standards in correctional mental health care.

• Knowledge and expertise in public health, and the diagnosis and treatment of individuals.

• Ability to provide proper patient care and adhere to protocols.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced correctional healthcare environment.

• Maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with leadership, staff, patients, the public and external partners.

• Strong clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evidence-based practices.

• Possess strong judgment, discretion, high level of confidentiality, flexibility and integrity.

• Ability to quickly assess medical emergencies and implement appropriate interventions effectively and calmly.

• Strong decision-making skills in high-pressure situations, balancing medical care with security concerns. 

• Strong attention to detail, follow-up and timely completion of assigned tasks.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.