Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Description

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP/APN) provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, and ongoing treatment services for individuals receiving behavioral health treatment. The PMHNP practices within the scope of New Jersey licensure and collaborates with psychiatrists, therapists, medical providers, and other interdisciplinary team members to deliver safe, evidence-based, trauma-informed, and client-centered care.

The PMHNP supports the organization's mission by promoting clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, client safety, and continuous quality improvement while ensuring services are delivered in accordance with accreditation standards, applicable state and federal regulations, and organizational policies.

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including obtaining psychiatric, medical, substance use, social, developmental, and family histories to establish accurate diagnoses and determine appropriate levels of care.
• Diagnose psychiatric and co-occurring disorders utilizing DSM-5-TR criteria, clinical judgment, and evidence-based assessment tools.
• Develop individualized, client-centered treatment plans that address each client’s psychiatric, medical, psychological, and psychosocial needs while supporting recovery-oriented care.
• Perform routine psychiatric follow-up appointments to evaluate symptom progression, treatment effectiveness, and overall client stability.
• Reassess clients throughout the continuum of care and modify treatment plans as clinically indicated based on changes in condition, response to treatment, or emerging clinical concerns.
• Provide psychiatric consultation to members of the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical interventions.
• Ensure all clinical services are delivered in accordance with organizational policies, professional standards of practice, and applicable state and federal regulations.

• Evaluate clients for appropriate psychopharmacologic treatment utilizing current evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
• Prescribe, adjust, discontinue, and monitor psychiatric medications within the scope of New Jersey Advanced Practice Nurse licensure and collaborative practice agreements.
• Monitor medication effectiveness through ongoing assessment of therapeutic response, adverse effects, medication adherence, and potential drug interactions.
• Order, review, and interpret laboratory testing and diagnostic studies necessary for safe medication management and ongoing client monitoring.
• Educate clients and, when appropriate, their families regarding medication indications, expected outcomes, potential side effects, risks, benefits, and the importance of medication compliance.
• Complete medication reconciliation during admissions, transfers, and discharge to promote clients safety and continuity of care.
• Prescribe controlled substances in accordance with DEA regulations, New Jersey law, and organizational prescribing policies, including utilization of the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) when applicable.
• Document informed consent and client education related to medication management in accordance with organizational standards.

• Work collaboratively with psychiatrists, physicians, therapists, case managers, counselors, admissions personnel, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive client care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, clinical case conferences, utilization review discussions, and discharge planning to ensure continuity and effectiveness of care.
• Provide psychiatric consultation and clinical guidance to members of the treatment team regarding client symptoms, medication concerns, behavioral interventions, and treatment recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with internal departments and external healthcare providers to coordinate referrals, transitions of care, and follow-up treatment services.
• Foster a collaborative and respectful work environment that promotes…