Nurse Practitioner for Adult Team Mental Health Services

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

Nurse Practitioner (Full-Time)

$155,000 - $172,000 annualized

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Summary

Under the general supervision of a psychiatrist, provides a comprehensive spectrum of psychiatric services to assigned program participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This is not an exhaustive task list and other duties as assigned that may be appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. MHALA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

The Agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

• Provides individual psychiatric consultation, medication consultation and medication management to members.
• Provides allied psychiatric and medical consultation/education to staff.
• Prescribes medications and obtain consents.
• Participates as an active member of multi-disciplinary teams providing comprehensive case management services to members.
• Participates in weekly team meetings and staff training meetings.
• Actively assists teams in personal service planning for members.
• Participates in site social activities.

Initiates and/or participates in allied professional activities as interested or assigned, ie, community liaison work, homeless work, staff education and training, supervision of medical residents, participation in medical research or academic studies, presentation/consultation to outside groups and similar.

Participates in Leadership and Quality Improvement meetings.

Assists and supports program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, County Contracted Providers, and funding source standards and requirements, and documents in required program, including 24 hour turnaround.

Reads, performs researches, attends classes, workshops or seminars and participates in other professional development activities in order to maintain and enhance personal and professional skills.

Education and Experience

A Masters degree in Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from an accredited university AND completion of an approved Family/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program from an accredited university with furnishing license.

Experience in community psychiatry preferred.

Other Position Requirements

Must have a LPS designation or be qualified in a timely manner by the LA County Department of Mental Health to write involuntary holds per section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.

A valid, active, and current Nurse Practitioner license issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing.

A valid, active, and current Nurse Practitioner medication furnishing number issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing.

A valid, active, and current license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing.

A valid, active, and current Controlled Substance Registration Certificate issued by the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

• A valid and current certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan).
• Must have good basic English writing skills, good basic computer skills and be highly organized.
• Must have excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to juggle multiple tasks without losing productivity.
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Knowledgeable in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Must possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple needs, issues and problematic behavioral characteristics.

Must know or very quickly become knowledgeable of the characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed, and have knowledge of local services available for dually diagnosed individuals.

• Demonstrates knowledge of or very quickly becomes knowledgeable of community resources.
• Minimum 3 years of driving history with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period