Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider

JOB SUMMARY

The Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider delivers outpatient psychiatric medication management services within an integrated primary care setting at a Federally Qualified Health Center. The provider works collaboratively with primary care clinicians, behavioral health therapists, care management staff, and pharmacy services to deliver coordinated, patient centered care for individuals across the lifespan.

The provider conducts psychiatric evaluations, prescribes and manages psychiatric medications, and supports treatment planning for patients with a wide range of behavioral health conditions. The role emphasizes integrated care collaboration, consultation with primary care teams, and coordination with behavioral health clinicians to improve whole person health outcomes.

The patient population includes children, adolescents, and adults receiving services in a community health setting. Many patients may have complex needs including serious mental illness, substance use disorders including medication for opioid use disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and histories of incarceration. The provider receives consultation and collaboration support from other psychiatric providers within the organization.

Candidates with experience in community mental health, medication for opioid use disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and justice involved populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates who are interested in developing skills in these areas are also encouraged to apply even if they do not yet have experience with all populations served.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide psychiatric diagnostic assessments and ongoing medication management for patients across the lifespan within an outpatient setting.
• Prescribe, adjust, and monitor psychiatric medications in accordance with evidence based clinical practice and organizational policies.
• Provide medication management for patients with a range of psychiatric conditions including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.
• Participate in integrated care collaboration with primary care providers, behavioral health clinicians, care management staff, and pharmacy services to coordinate comprehensive treatment plans.
• Consult with primary care providers regarding behavioral health concerns and medication related questions.
• Support medication management for patients receiving medication for opioid use disorder when appropriate and within scope of training and licensure.
• Provide care for patients with complex social and behavioral health needs including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals involved in the justice system, and patients receiving community mental health services.
• Collaborate with therapists and care managers to support continuity of care, treatment adherence, and connection to community resources.
• Document assessments, treatment plans, and medication management encounters in the electronic health record in accordance with Federally Qualified Health Center, Medicaid, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in case consultation with other psychiatric providers as needed to support complex clinical decision making.
• Follow established protocols for risk assessment and management including suicide risk assessment and crisis intervention.
• Support quality improvement initiatives related to integrated behavioral health and psychiatric care within the health center.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and organizational policies, including requirements related to Federally Qualified Health Centers and integrated care delivery.
• Provides referrals to outside professionals as needed or required.
• Participates in continuing education in order to meet the requirements of licensure (CEU’s).

Each staff member is a member of the Patient Centered Medical Home model and you are required to work as part of a team to provide high-quality, patient-focused care.  Your role is to help ensure patients have timely access to services, support coordinated care by communicating effectively with team members and patients, and contributing to quality improvement efforts.  Your commitment to respectful, compassionate service and teamwork is required to help us meet PCMH standards, improve patient outcomes, and maintain a supportive care environment.

Corporate Compliance: It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperate with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  N/A

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:  include the following:

1. Provide monthly progress reports to the Integrated Health Director as requested.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required: 

1. Appropriate licensing, certification, and schooling requirements as per job title.
2. Maintain the appropriate licenses in the State of North Carolina.
3. Ability to deal with problems and interact effectively and professionally with others.
4. Excellent communication skills; consumer advocate for quality health care and services.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

1. Graduated from an accredited program (PMHNP-BC certification or certification as PA with experience working a community mental health setting)
2. Minimum of two years' experience.
3. Participate annually in continuing education.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to speak English fluently.  Spanish language proficiecy preferred but not required.

REASONING ABILITY:     Must be able to identify a problem, make a decision on one of the possible solutions, implement the decision, and evaluate the results.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS:  Medical terminology, accurate keyboarding skills, ability to process work error free.  Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and facsimile machines. 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:  Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.   Teamwork and communication skills essential. Treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS:  Maintain the appropriate licenses to practice Psychiatry in the State of North Carolina.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:    

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The special vision requirements for this job are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions for this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MedNorth Health Center provides comprehensive health care services, inside a multi-cultural medical/dental clinic, to all individuals; insured, uninsured, and underinsured. The building is heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer with noise levels of moderate to loud. We serve patients who speak multiple languages and who may need the assistance of an interpreter. In this position one may be subject to exposure to copier toner, correction fluid, bright fluorescent lighting, and continuous personal computer exposure.

This job is a Blood borne Pathogens risk Category II position.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• The employee is expected to attend work on a daily basis and to be at work on time.
• The employee is expected to be a team player.
• The employee is expected to report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.
• The employee’s work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.
• The employee is expected to have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.
• The employee is expected to be dependable and is expected to accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.
• The employee is expected to dress and act in a professional manner and adhere to all safety standards.
• The employee is expected to participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.
• The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality.

NOTE: This job description may be changed only with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer, however it should be reviewed at least annually between the employee and the supervisor of the position.