OVERVIEW

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner performs a variety of duties to provide quality patient care to patients requiring psychiatric services. The scope of services includes new patient evaluations and follow-up appointments for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed men, women, and children. This position reports directly to the Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston (HHH) Chief Medical Officer/Medical Director, with associated oversight by the Director of Behavioral Health.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Performs pertinent history and physical exams of patients

· Prescribes therapeutic treatments and/or medications for mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders

· Collaborates within a multidisciplinary setting serving the homeless population to update the patient’s treatment plan and keep the primary care team aware of patient progress.

· Performs and evaluates diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests within the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner’s scope of practice

· Follows established protocols to manage specific patient problems in collaboration with supervising physician

· Provides constructive input on improving the delivery of services to medical director and clinic manager

· Maintains medical record using an electronic medical record, writes accurate, timely notes and orders which are co-signed by supervising physician when appropriate

· Is sensitive in working with people who are homeless/medically underserved population

· Is self-directed with good organizational skills

· Communicates and works well within a collaborative team environment

· May supervise the work of a medical assistant, nursing students, medical students and family medicine residents where appropriate

· Adheres to agency policies and procedures

· Participates and is a clinical leader in the medication assisted treatment program

· Performs other tasks or special assignments as necessary to maintain proper operation and patient care

CLINICAL SETTING

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner provides patient care to men, women, and children who are homeless or vulnerably housed at HHH primary care clinics, and may provide psychiatric outreach services to homeless individuals living on the streets, in encampments, and in shelters/missions as part of an interdisciplinary outreach team. Daily work hours may vary with minimal evening or weekend hours.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

· Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a Master’s degree in nursing

· Completion of an accredited Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program

· Current, valid license to practice in the State of Texas as a Nurse Practitioner

· Two years clinical experience, preferably with a medically underserved population

WORKING CONDITIONS

· Not normally required to exert physical effort.

· Driving between clinic sites in a day

· Frequently handles/works with biohazards or patient-related risks for potential job-related injury, such as those found in an ordinary laboratory or clinic environment.