Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Primary Purpose:

Provide healthcare management of behavioral health patients and assist in clinic teaching and administrative responsibilities. The nurse practitioner serves as a specialist in diagnostic assessment, medication evaluation and management, consultation, treatment and crisis intervention for patients at Kalihi-Palama Health Center. The services provided will be provided in an integrated approach with the primary care services provided at the health center. This person is part of the Patient-Centered Medical Home, where each team member plays an integral role in providing patient-centered health care.

Essential Duties:

• Practice and provide care in accordance with acceptable standards of Psychiatric Medicine, the Clinical Practice Guidelines of KPHC, and other written policies and standing orders of KPHC.
• Provide comprehensive patient care with the ability to consult and/or refer to other health care providers/services/agencies as necessary.
• Order and interpret laboratory tests, studies and ancillary services.
• Prescribe psychiatric treatment and clinical drugs to patients.
• Perform approved therapeutic procedures.
• Dispense medications from within clinic supply in accordance with legal and clinic standards.
• Maintain charting in accordance with legal and clinic standards.

Instruct and advise patients regarding preventive health care measures to promote physical and mental well-being and to promote early detection, diagnosis and management of psychiatric and co-morbid medical conditions.

• Supervise clinical nursing staff as assigned.
• Review and manage on a regular basis chronic care and complex cases that require ongoing psychiatric and medical attention.
• Provide/promote "informed consent" and knowledgeable participation of clients in their care and in preventive care.
• Maintain confidentiality of all patient information according to federal guidelines and regulations.
• Assist in the resolution of complaints, requests and inquiries from patients.
• Provide health education/consultation to clients, families, other professionals and the community as appropriate.
• Collaborate in planning and participate in teaching paraprofessionals, medical students, residents, nursing students and other health care professionals.
• Attend all staff and professional meetings as required.
• Participate in health center and professional quality assurance plans/activities, data collection and analysis.
• Participate in monthly peer review, support staff evaluation, case conferences, hospital committees and other activities as required.
• Assist in evaluating and revising Clinical Practice Guidelines for practice in the clinic and in other practice policies and procedures.
• May be required to provide outpatient care at a site other than the KPHC main clinic per contracts or arrangements with outside agencies or per clinic expansions or operational changes.
• Communicate problems, concerns and suggestions to the Medical Director and to the Behavioral Health Director verbally and in writing where appropriate.
• Provides a full range of therapeutic services including diagnostic assessments, behavioral health consultation, crisis intervention, medication evaluation and medication management.

• Provides treatment through an integrated approach with primary care, medical specialties and as indicated with social services and healthcare for the homeless.
• Develops patient-centered treatment plans.
• Service as a key member of the interdisciplinary team. Works closely with the treatment team members (primary care doctor, medical specialist, medical assistants, social services, and care coordinators) in establishing short and long-term goals for the patient. Ensures treatment is provided in a team-base collaborative approach.
• Maintain current knowledge of the Hawaii State laws and regulations in regards to the provision of behavioral health treatment. Serves as a consultant to other specialties within KPHC regarding the specific laws and regulations for providing mental health and substance use treatment.
• Support departmental goals and objectives, including participation in grant supported projects.
• Perform duties in such a manner that is appropriate to the multi-ethnic patient population of KPHC.

Regular and reliable on-site attendance is required.

Other Duties:

Perform other related duties as assigned

• Observe safety and security procedures; determine appropriate actions beyond guidelines; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Skills/Knowledge:

Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization and has demonstrated ability to effectively utilize de-escalation skills.

Ability to work as a team player.

Demonstrated ability to work with people who have chronic mental illness, substance use disorders, patients with co-morbid mental illness, chronic health conditions and substance use disorders, and patients with severe psychosocial barriers such as homelessness.

Demonstrated ability to interact with patients who are under physical and/or emotional stress and to remain calm and professional when under stress or in emergency situations.

Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in order to make recommendations, provide services, perform assessments, provide expert consultation, serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team and conduct educational lectures

Knowledge of community service resources

Experience in providing bicultural and bilingual services preferred

Education:

Must have graduated from an accredited nurse practitioner training program with a focus on mental health for children, adolescents, and adults

Must be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse in Hawaii, and must meet current requirements for maintenance of licensure.

Prescriptive authority and current controlled substance certification (Federal DEA and state NED) is required.

Must maintain required licensure and certification necessary to provide billable behavioral health services in the State of Hawaii.

Experience:

Experience in direct therapeutic services with mental health diagnosis, substance use disorders and chronic health conditions

Experience with computers and ability to utilize an electronic healthcare record in a health or educational setting

Excellent communication and organization skills

Multi-lingual language skills are helpful.

Kalihi-Palama Health Center is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.