Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Position Summary

The Advanced Psychiatric Nurse (APN) specializes in the care of patients with mental disorders, while maintaining the standard of professional nursing. APN works with a variety of healthcare professionals and security officers in a correctional environment to ensure effective patient care delivery and achievement of desired patient outcomes.

Position details: 2.00 pm - 10.00 pm

• Master’s Degree
• Current, unrestricted RN/APN license in the state of practice
• Specialization in Psychiatry or Mental Health
• Prescriptive authority with current and valid DEA and CDS registration

• For the right candidate, we will consider a new graduate

• Excellent critical thinking and assessment skills
• Ability to make independent decisions
• Assertive, empathetic, and able to provide care objectively
• Strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to function independently and as part of a team
• Ability to command the respect and confidence of inmates and staff; philosophically committed to the objectives of the facility
• Maintains an active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

• Ability to pass all required health and other screening tests
• On‑call duty may be required (available to work on short notice) as per site requirement

• Provides a positive and professional representation of CFG Health
• Keeps patient information confidential and respects patient’s right to privacy
• Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting documentation, and prevention
• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice
• Adheres to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities
• Completes required orientation and trainings as directed by facility
• Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
• Follows facility and CFG Health occurrence protocol
• Adheres to PREA regulations
• Punctual and dependable for assigned/confirmed shifts
• Maintains security clearance for the assigned facility

• Performs and documents psychiatric evaluations on inmate patients consistent with NCCHC standards of care, NJ 10‑A, ACA, and PBNDS as appropriate
• Assesses patients’ mental and physical status based on presenting symptoms and complaints
• Conducts individual and/or group psychotherapy for those with acute or chronic mental disorders
• Constructs treatment plans for inmate patients incorporating relapse prevention risk management strategies
• Writes prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and CFG formulary guidelines
• Monitors patients’ medication
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to develop, implement, or evaluate treatment plans
• Documents patients’ medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, discharge summaries, and transfer orders
• Maintains effective working relationships with health care professionals and others

• May regularly be required to stand, sit, walk, reach, bend, kneel, crouch, or stretch for prolonged periods
• Ability to communicate and understand written and verbal communication
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

• Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program with a psychiatric/mental health focus
• Current and unrestricted Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practice Nurse license in the applicable state
• National certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Experience providing direct patient care as a Nurse Practitioner
• Current prescriptive authority, including DEA registration as required
• Previous experience in correctional healthcare, behavioral health, or a comparable clinical setting preferred
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification; ACLS preferred if required by facility
• Ability to meet all credentialing, background, and security clearance requirements for a correctional facility