Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (APRN)

This position is a contractor.

Job Overview

The purpose of this position is to provide direct psychiatric evaluations, assessments and medication therapy to the assigned clientele.

The APRN is responsible for the overall management of assigned clientele to include the timely completion of all required documentation to meet the standards set forth by Branford Counseling & Community Services (BCCS) policy, Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and insurance payers.

The APRN is also responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control.

Essential Functions

Perform psychiatric evaluations on assigned clients and prescribe appropriate medications, if needed

Orders medications through the Dr. First electronic program

Assess clients’ mental status

Provide timely electronic documentation of clinical services

Attend weekly medication review meetings

Complete appropriate assessments when needed

Be available to support agency personnel in the event of an administrative or psychiatric crisis

Provide consultation to staff as needed

Supervision

Performs varied and responsible professional duties requiring a strong knowledge of psychiatric medication therapy; and an exercise of judgment and initiative to effectively and efficiently provide oversight as the Part Time APRN.

Supervision Received: Reports to the Clinical Director or designee and follows professional standards, procedures and policies.

Supervision Given: None.

Experience

The qualifications required a license to prescribe medicine in the State of Connecticut and member of a national certification board.

Must have and maintain a valid CT Driver’s License

A professional license according to Connecticut Department of Public Health regulations as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and

DEA controlled substance license.

Must provide proof of Liability Insurance.

Knowledge, Skill & Ability

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern professional psychiatric methods such as treatment plans, assessments, diagnosis, etc.; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern psychiatry; knowledge of treating populations across the diagnostic spectrum including severe psychiatric disorders and mental illness; knowledge of ethics of professional psychiatry; knowledge of family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; knowledge of State Statutes and eligibility requirements for health benefit programs as well as legal issues relating to psychiatric services and reporting issues; knowledge of psychiatric hospitalizations and psychiatric medications; knowledge of available town, state, federal and private resources; knowledge of appropriate electronic health care systems; knowledge of HIPAA regulations

Ability: Ability to deal with distressed adults, senior adults mental health clients; ability to recognize and identify problems, crisis and treatment plans; ability to prioritize problems and clients to determine which issues need to be addressed first; ability to diagnose psychiatric diseases; ability to deal with emergencies; ability to maintain working relationships with all clients, state, federal and regional agencies, etc.; ability to provide clinical services, and crisis intervention services; understand regulations of programs and assist with appropriate applications; ability to multitask; ability to maintain confidential records; ability to prepare reports in oral and written form; ability to use computer systems and data bases; ability to independently apply current psychiatric treatment modalities to address client needs.

Skill: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with adults, senior adults, and maintaining effective working relationships with various groups; excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills; aptitude for working with paperwork and details; skill in using the mentioned equipment.

Job Environment

Administrative work is performed in a moderately quiet office with regular interruptions during the day from the public via telephone, in person or telehealth.

Requires the operation of a motor vehicle, telephones, computers, copiers, facsimile machines, electronic health records system, and other standard office equipment.

Make frequent and periodic contact with clients and service providers, Town staff, schools, civic groups, hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, insurance companies, many regional and state agencies; agencies and medical service providers which include Court System, DCF, Police, addiction services, State Dept of Social Services, Dept of Public Health, counseling agencies etc. Communication is frequent in person, by telephone, fax, email, and in writing.

Contacts require a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. Errors in judgment or omissions could result in delays of services, loss of income, injury to others (through suicide or violence), legal ramifications and potential liability.

The Town of Branford is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Candidate offered the position must pass a substance abuse test given at the Town's expense.