Title: Psychiatric Nurse

Classification: Full-Time

Salary Grade/Level: Exempt

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

Summary:

The psychiatric nurse provides diagnostic and medication services to reduce symptoms for children and adolescents. The psychiatric nurse addresses emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism, allowing children to continue their developmental path.

Essential Functions:

• Provides psychiatric services to clients during scheduled hours, in-person or virtually. Scope of services includes outpatient psychiatric evaluations and medication management services.
• Assesses, diagnoses, and treats adolescents and children experiencing symptoms of a behavioral health disorders.
• Prescribes, recommends, or discontinues drugs and treatments to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders in accordance with the state’s Nurse Practice Act.

• Collaborates with counselors, social workers, or other treatment team members to coordinate client care.
• Completes timely and accurate medical records, including assessment, treatment plan, progress notes, outcome measures, and billing entries. Records all client contacts in database.

• Designs/participates in the development of individualized treatment plans, incorporating best and leading practices into treatment interventions.
• Examines or orders laboratory or diagnostic tests for clients to provide information on general physical condition and mental disorders.
• Collaborates with guardians, relatives, and significant others on client’s conditions and treatment when clinically appropriate.
• Prepares and submits assessments, progress notes, reports, and summaries to entities/agencies (funders, insurance companies, etc.) as required.
• Returns calls and emails promptly (within 24 hours of receipt or sooner if clinically necessary).
• Responds to all refill requests and prior authorization needs within 24 hours or receipt or sooner.
• Responds to client emergencies and is accessible to supervisor.
• Makes independent decisions based on protocols developed utilizing national guidelines for treatment interventions.
• Maintains strong relationships with all agency staff and clients.
• Maintains medical records and submits required records to supervisor for regular review.
• Records all services performed for accurate billing for services provided in compliance with all local, state and federal laws, as well as payor rules and regulations. Submits billing documents in a timely fashion.
• Improves and promotes quality.
• Provides teaching and education to clinical staff, if requested.
• Follows all procedures and protocols as per JFS policy, federal and state regulations, and standard practice.
• Actively participates in all agency and department education, training, and in-services to confirm understanding of new information or changes to established clinical policies and procedures

• Administers Psychiatric Diagnosis Evaluations (PDE) as part of the initial client behavioral evaluation. The evaluations are completed one time for a period of 60 minutes. The evaluation will include an integrated biopsychosocial assessment including history, mental status, and related recommendations with interpretation of the evaluation, development of a report, presentation of finds, and the provision of medical services.
• Develops discharge and medication monitoring plans with families
• Utilizes 100% of JFS’ St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund allocation for direct psychiatry, medication management and case management by billing at least 125 hours/month.
• Participates in staff conferences and recommends appropriate treatment approaches.
• Assists through consultation in establishing psychiatric programs and policies.

Additional Responsibilities

• May serve as a liaison or consultant to community organizations and schools.
• Demonstrates teamwork and support of the JFS mission and values.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned
• Complies with all JFS policies and standards.

Qualifications

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with varying abilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Master’s degree or doctorate in nursing with focus on psychiatric nursing. Graduation from a state-certified advance practice program specializing in psychiatry/mental health

Work Experience: At least two years providing direct client care for psychiatric disorders. Three or more years of experience as a psychiatric provider preferred. Ability to work with youth/child populations. Experience in telemedicine.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience in delivering high-quality, client-centered care.
• Able to document and navigate EHR independently.
• Ability to maintain strict client confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with individuals involved in all aspects of programming – children, parents, school faculty and staff, grantors, funders, partner agencies, members of the community and JFS team members.
• Serves as a representative of JFS, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with JFS team members, clients, school system staff and faculty, grantors, funders, regulators and members of the general public.
• Proficient computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary team.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general and professional documents. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work productively and make independent decisions.
• Knowledge of general medicine and psychiatry; current developments in the field of psychiatry; hospital and clinic organization, management, and procedures.
• Ability to skillfully diagnose and treat mental illness.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to prepare records and reports.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and confidentiality.

Licenses, Certifications and Professional Affiliations:

Must be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Holds an unrestricted license to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the state of Missouri. Must have a valid DEA number and unrestricted DEA license in Missouri and a state-issued Controlled Substance Registration (CSR) in Missouri. Registration with the state Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) in St. Louis County. No suspension/exclusion/debarment from participation in federal health care programs (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP). Maintains credentials and licensure with all major insurance companies and licensing boards.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office environment.

Physical Demands

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds. The potential exists for highly stressful and emotionally-charged encounters with clients and/or family members.

Travel

There may be some travel within the community for meetings. Access to private transportation is required.

Other

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.