The Washington County Detention Facility is hiring a full-time psychiatric nurse practitioner to join the facility’s growing behavioral health treatment team. The psychiatric nurse practitioner would be responsible for prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications, providing counseling and other mental health services to inmates as needed, and assisting with behavioral health program coordination.

Healthcare delivery in a correctional setting is challenging and rewarding. This position is an excellent opportunity to hone clinical skills for treating an underserved population with complex challenges. We are looking for a highly motivated, empathic, and organized individual to join our behavioral health team. This is a position funded through opioid abatement funds for one year with a strong likelihood of recurrent funding.

Essential Functions

• Providing psychiatric care, including admission evaluations, follow-ups, and urgent and emergent consultations to individuals with behavioral and mental health needs
• Participating in the creation of an individualized treatment plan after discussing the case with the behavioral health care team, collecting and reviewing psychosocial data, medical history, nursing assessment, and other pertinent information.
• Evaluating inmates’ need for a higher level of care, including hospitalization, and escalate care as appropriate. If an inmate is hospitalized, maintain contact with the hospital psychiatric staff to ensure continuity of care
• Providing patient education, specifically around issues related to medications and treatment adherence, and aftercare services. Documenting all activities in the electronic medical record in a timely, concise and clear manner
• Integrating nursing and medical concepts in planning care for medically complicated psychiatric patients.
• Providing consultation to non-prescribing behavioral health staff and medical staff about diagnosis, treatment and/or the need for psychiatric medication
• Counseling inmates using advanced psychotherapeutic techniques, including in group settings if needed
• Participating in team meetings with the treatment staff, on a weekly basis
• Providing clinical oversight for psychiatric nurse practitioner trainees or other trainees, as needed, including appropriate direct supervision and documentation of evaluation and feedback

Requirements

• At least one year of relevant experience, including assessment/diagnosis of mental health disorders and prescribing of mental health medications
• Ability to effectively communicate with other behavioral health providers and make referrals to other personnel as needed
• Advanced knowledge of psychopathology and psychopharmacology
• Advanced knowledge of assessment for and diagnosis of mental health disorders
• Foundational knowledge of psychotherapy as well as interviewing skills and techniques

Education Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited educational institution with a degree of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) graduate certificate

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with underserved and vulnerable populations (e.g., people with substance use disorder, individuals who have been involved in the legal system)
• Prior experience working with and treating individuals with severe mental illnesses (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
• Prior experience working in a detention facility
• Experience working within interdisciplinary teams and integrated care settings
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions
• Willingness to be on-call

Pay Scale, Work Hours and Benefits

• Pay: $125,000-$140,000
• Work Hours: 40 hours per week: 8 hour shifts Monday-Friday
• Benefits include the following:
• Health insurance (County pays 90% of the premium)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid life insurance policy
• Employee wellness clinic
• Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
• 401k and 457 plans
• Supplemental policies offered
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation and sick leave

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Standard shift:

• Day shift

Weekly schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• Corrections
• In-person

Work Location: In person