APRN-Psych- Outpatient Community Health

Join a Team That Makes a Difference at Optimus Health Care!

Are you passionate about providing high-quality, patient-centered care? Optimus Health Care—the largest provider of primary health care services in Fairfield County—is looking for dedicated professionals to join our team! With multiple locations in Bridgeport, Stratford, and Stamford, our mission is to be a lifelong health care partner, dedicated to achieving optimal wellness for the communities we serve.

Optimus is currently looking for an experienced Psychiatric APRN to join our Behavioral Health team and provide care to our medically complex adult and adolescent patient population in an outpatient setting and in an Intensive Outpatient ( IOP) setting. This position is Monday through Friday with no weekend or call responsibilities.

Position Summary

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is a member of the mental health care team in a health care system. The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializes in psychiatric/mental health providing mental health services.

The responsibilities of a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner include but are not limited to conducting comprehensive assessment of personal, medical/ substance abuse and diagnosis, counseling, prescribe medication, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies for people of all ages with mental illness or mental distress, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression, or dementia.

In addition, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner establishes and manages treatment plans to address the individual mental health care needs of a diverse population.

Functions & Responsibilities

1. Provides comprehensive assessment, plan development, implementation of plan of care and evaluation of effectiveness of interventions with revisions, as necessary.

2. Initiate, monitors, alters medications and treatments according to approved protocols. Demonstrates thorough understanding of all requirements and practice standards relating to the prescription, administration of medications including compliance with organization policy and procedures, documentation, requirements, medication education.

3. Monitors medication and initiates appropriate therapies for certain conditions and changes medications according to variations in a patient's response within established protocols.

4. Observes and differentiates between signs and symptoms associated with normal human physiology and those indicative of pathological changes.

5. Documents all relevant patient care issues in patients' progress notes and treatment plan all relevant patient care issues.

6. Includes the use of seclusion and restraint when appropriate and alternative interventions, documentation requirements, disaster and fire procedures, infection control, risk management.

7. It is sensitive to cultural diversity issues, treats patients as an individual, and considers the culture of the patients when providing care and treatment.

8. Provides individualized care and treatment that is consistent with/sensitive to the age and life span developmental needs of each patient.

9. Ensures progress note and treatment plan documentation is in specified format, problem oriented, corresponds to the therapeutic order

• 10. Adheres to the established formulary for therapeutic regimens before using non-formulary procedures
• 11. Supports standards of psychiatric care through adherence to existing policies and procedures
• 12. Assumes responsibility and accountability for his/her individual judgments and actions

Optimus Health Care, Inc. will provide quality assurance protocols and adequate monitoring of the tasks delegated by any or all of the following:

1. Onsite supervision and consultation between the non-physician practitioner and an available physician with the department.

2. Charts of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse will be reviewed and audited on an ongoing basis as determined by the Medical Director

3. Case consultation time shall always be available and special times to discuss and review cases shall occur at regularly scheduled intervals as determined by the Medical Director

Job Qualifications/Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and successful completion of an approved Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program.

EXPERIENCE: One-three years’ experience in an outpatient setting. Familiarity with telepsychiatry and prior experience a plus

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Bi-lingual skills in Spanish preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of professional nursing theory, practice, and medical care to give and evaluate patient care. Knowledge of organizational policies, regulations, and procedures to administer patient care. Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments to administer care.

Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work environment. Skill in applying and modifying the principles, methods, and techniques of professional nursing to provide ongoing patient care. Skill in taking medical history to assess medical conditions and interpret findings.

Skill in preparing and maintaining records, writing reports, and responding to correspondence using current electronic media. Skill in developing and maintaining quality control/assurance standards. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures. Ability to communicate clearly

Working for Optimus

• OHC provides a fun, fast-paced working environment, where our commitment to quality is present in every job function.
• 100% Outpatient Setting

• Excellent health & welfare benefit options

• Competitive Compensation
• Optimus and its caring, multilingual staff proudly serve our community in a patient-centered environment.

*NHSC Student Loan Repayment, if eligible

Compensation decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal and Connecticut equal-pay requirements. The final offer will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, education, specialized skills, scope of responsibilities, market conditions, and internal equity.

The salary range does not guarantee placement at any specific point within the range. Eligible employees may receive employer-sponsored benefits, covering medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; paid time off and holidays; and other employer-sponsored benefits, subject to plan terms and eligibility.

Optimus is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees as protected by applicable federal and/or state law.