Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Who we are: La Clínica de La Raza is a community-based health center committed to providing culturally appropriate, high-quality, and accessible health care to the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area. We have spent over 40 years advocating for and creating a health home for the many that have been denied access to care. As health care activists, we are dedicated to making sure individuals who do not have health coverage get the same level of quality healthcare as those who have it. From our genesis as a community health center in 1971, we understood that we cannot heal our communities without also addressing the economic and social factors that affect health. Many times, this requires that we go outside and provide services in other settings to build the bridge that links individuals to our health center for preventive and primary care. Over 90,000 individuals come to La Clínica because it is a welcoming place that addresses the whole person, coordinating and connecting them to a broad network of services to improve and maintain their health and well-being. While we are still known for our activism and spirit of social justice, we are also proud to have grown into a sophisticated provider of primary health care services with 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties.

Be part of an excellent care team: At La Clínica, you will be able to provide behavioral health services in a multi-disciplinary outpatient setting, with a variety of academic partnerships, making it a vibrant treatment setting incorporating the latest in evidence and best practices. You will deliver care to a resilient patient population that is ethnically diverse and medically complex, with the aim of achieving optimal health outcomes for every patient. We attract and retain engaged staff by supporting providers in their pursuits of a meaningful role and offering opportunities in mentorship, quality initiatives and preceptorships. La Clínica is committed to continued provider education, and we train nurse practitioners to prepare new graduates for their roles. You will do this work alongside energetic colleagues who are dedicated to an exceptional patient experience just as they are committed to health innovation and delivery of quality care. As an NP, you will be surrounded by a collaborative care team that is invested in your success and shares ownership of tasks to help improve your efficiency as a provider. We offer robust perks including educational leave plus stipend, license reimbursement, H1 visa sponsorship, FTCA malpractice coverage, and flexible work schedules. In addition, we are a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) approved site for tax free loan repayment. Our clinics are located in the thriving Bay Area known for its cultural diversity, beautiful weather, highly sought after schools and year-round recreational activities.

Major Areas of Responsibility include but are not limited to:

Healthcare Delivery

Under the direction of a licensed psychiatrist, exercises medical responsibilities for psychiatric evaluation, medication assessment and medication monitoring. Performs crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and other direct mental health services, and assists with 5150 evaluations, as needed. This includes diagnostic evaluations, assessments, medication management, psychotherapy, crisis therapy, health care screening and preventative/health maintenance services, in a furnishing role, depending on the needs of the clinic and program over time. Works as a member of a multi-disciplinary behavioral health team. Consults and provides on-going education related to in psychopharmacology and medical aspects of patient care to non-medical staff. Services will be provided either at Casa del Sol, in patients’ homes, or in other field locations as needed. Performs additional nursing duties as assigned by the Associate Medical Director for Psychiatry. Shifts are M-F 9 – 6, up to 40 hours per week.

• Implements evidence based approaches to medical care

• Exercises medical responsibilities for psychiatric evaluation, medication assessment and medication monitoring consistent with collaborative practice agreement.

• Orders diagnostic tests as needed

• Maintains client caseload, as assigned

• Consults regularly with supervising physician on new cases and medication adjustments according to collaborative practice agreement

• Participates in Utilization Review/Quality Assurance/Continuous Quality Improvement activities

• Completes and maintains clinical records in accordance with mandated standards.

• Makes referrals to specialty providers as indicated and follows-up to ensure continuity of care.

• Documents mental health disabilities in partnership with other clinic staff and helps patients with disability program applications and appeals when necessary

• Delivers evidenced based care that supports our aim for improved health outcomes, exceptional patient experience and efficient use of resources.

• Administers depot formulations of psychiatric medications.

• May provide psychotherapy in accordance with additional clinical training and knowledge of assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based practices in psychotherapy.

• Collaborate with primary care and specialty providers for comprehensive whole-person care.

• Comply with all policies and procedures and collaborate with Quality Assurance staff to ensure all documentation meets county, state, federal, and payor standards.

Collaboration & Mentorship

• Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary behavioral health team of providers consulting on the assessment, management and treatment of complicated cases, chart review, co-signing, and case conferences.

• Consults with physicians on the management, assessment and treatment of specific cases as needed, and per protocol

• Suggests improvements for clinic flow, patient scheduling and service delivery, and collaborate professionally with interdisciplinary team members, including therapists, case managers, administrative and other prescribers.

• Consults and provides on-going education to non-medical staff in psychopharmacology and medical aspects of patient care

• Supports educational efforts which promote mental health in the community

Minimum Job Requirements

Knowledge

• Knowledge of psychopathology and psychopharmacology

• Knowledge of evidence-based care including the assessment and treatment and medical management of behavioral health conditions; and the principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions

• Knowledge and effective use of ICD and DSM diagnoses.

• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat behavioral health conditions, including psychosis. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions and preventative healthcare measures

• Knowledge and experience with Electronic Health Record programs

Abilities

• Strong clinical skills and experience providing integrated treatment to persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders

• Assess, diagnose, treat, appropriately monitor, and educate individuals with psychiatric and substance use disorders.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively and sensitively provide care to people from different cultural groups

• High degree of interpersonal competence with both staff and patients, with the ability to work and communicate with people from various ethnic, socio-economic, educational and life experience including patients with complex profiles

• Ability and willingness to work effectively as an interdisciplinary team member to improve and support the quality/efficiency standards established for CDS and throughout La Clinica

• Ability to receive feedback and collaborate well with peers and supervisors

• Excellent critical thinking skills, able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and to implement effective solutions

• Must have the physical stamina to function effectively in a position that involves heavy lifting (50lbs)

• Effective use of technology and ability to provide care to patients in numerous care settings, including office, field, patient homes, and via phone and teleconferencing technology.

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with speed and accuracy

• Ability and willingness to work under pressure

• Ability to keep accurate and clear records of patient information

• Top-notch time management skills

• Ability to work across cultures and demonstrate support of diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Bi-lingual English/Spanish proficiency

Experience and Other Certifications

• Master’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program, valid California Registered Nurse license and Nurse Practitioner certificate, valid DEA registration, and valid California Furnishing Number

• Must hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate. You will have 30-day grace period to obtain your certificate from the date of hire.

• Eligibility for national certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or other national certifying bodies

• Knowledge and experience with Epic preferred

• Collaborative Practice Agreement with supervising psychiatrist

Salary: $84,088 - $110,330 per year

Salary : $84,088 - $110,330