Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner

Position: Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner (Full time and Part time)
Make an impact where it matters most. Kinston Community Health Center is seeking a compassionate and skilled behavioral health provider to join our growing team. In addition to meaningful work serving underserved communities, we offer four (4) weeks of PTO, ten (10+) paid holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, continuing education time and allowance, and a collaborative environment committed to supporting both our patients and our providers.

The Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive behavioral health care, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, medication management, and ongoing follow-up services for patients across the lifespan. This position supports Kinston Community Health Center's integrated care model by addressing behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, and co-occurring medical and mental health needs through evidence-based, patient-centered care.

The Nurse Practitioner collaborates closely with physicians, behavioral health providers, nursing staff, care coordinators, and community partners to promote positive health outcomes and continuity of care. Responsibilities include conducting evaluations, developing treatment plans, prescribing and monitoring medications, providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services as appropriate, maintaining accurate clinical documentation, and participating in quality improvement initiatives.

This position serves as an essential member of the interdisciplinary care team and is committed to advancing KCHC's mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve through accessible, compassionate, and high-quality healthcare.

Qualifications

Education:

* Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university

* Graduate education with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing or Behavioral Health preferred

Certifications & Licenses:

* Current, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the State of North Carolina or ability to obtain prior to employment

* National Nurse Practitioner certification from an accredited certifying organization preferred

* Current DEA registration or ability to obtain prior to employment

* Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or ability to obtain within established timeframe

* Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification preferred

Experience:

* Experience assessing, diagnosing, treating, and managing patients within the scope of Nurse Practitioner practice.

* Experience prescribing and monitoring medications in accordance with applicable laws and clinical guidelines.

* Experience documenting patient care in an electronic health record (EHR) system.

* Two (2) years of behavioral health, psychiatric, addiction medicine, or integrated care experience preferred

* Experience providing psychiatric medication management preferred

* Experience treating patients with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, substance use disorders, and other behavioral health conditions preferred

* Experience providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services preferred

* Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), community health center, rural health clinic, or other underserved setting preferred

* Experience treating children, adolescents, and adults.

* Experience working with co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions preferred

* Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

* Knowledge of behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management

* Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations governing behavioral health services and prescribing practices

* Ability to perform comprehensive behavioral health evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans

* Ability to identify and appropriately respond to behavioral health crises an high-risk situations.

* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, providers, and interdisciplinary care teams

* Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

* Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation

* Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and independent decision-making within the scope of practice

* Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.

* Proficiency in the use of electronic health records, clinical software, and standard office technology

* Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles preferred

* Knowledge of integrated behavioral health and primary care models preferred

* Knowledge of substance use disorder treatment and recovery-oriented care preferred

* Experience collaborating with behavioral health therapists, care coordinators, case managers, and primary care providers in a team-based care environment preferred

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Provides comprehensive behavioral health services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment,…