Job Statement:

The psychiatric behavioral health nurse practitioner is a provider of direct behavioral care services. Within this role, the psychiatric-behavioral health nurse practitioner synthesizes theoretical, scientific, and clinical knowledge for the assessment and management as he/she directs the psychiatric care of patients. The role of PMHNP is offered as an adjunct service to the internal medicine and pediatric departments.

(The goal is to have no more than 10% of outside patients seen by our staff PMPNPs.)

JOB FUNCTIONS:

Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making uses up to date resources.

Completes an initial psychiatric evaluation on all patients referred to them from the internal medicine or pediatric physicians.

Assesses, diagnoses, monitors, coordinates and manages the health/illness status of patients over time.

Communicates the patient’s health status using appropriate terminology, format and technology to the care team which would include family/friends and outside professionals identified and authorized by the patient.

Uses community/public health screening tools in evaluating patient needs, initiating referrals, coordinating care and establishing a treatment plan

Prescribes medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorized and counsels concerning drug regimens, drug side effects and interactions with food supplements and other drugs.

Integrates knowledge of pharmacokinetic processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion and factors that alter pharmacokinetics in drug dosage and route selection.

Selects/prescribes correct dosages, routes and frequency of medications based on relevant individual patient characteristics (illness, age, culture, gender) working within appropriate insurance formulary.

Using pharmacologic knowledge and patient’s medical history detects and minimizes adverse drug reactions

Evaluates and counsels the patient on the use of complementary/alternative therapies for safety and potential interactions.

Integrates appropriate non-pharmacologic treatment modalities into the patient’s treatment plan

Orders and interprets common screening and diagnostic tests

Evaluates results of intervention using accepted outcome criteria, revises the plan accordingly; consults/refers patient to outside/community based care providers as necessary

Collaborates with patient’s BMC primary care physician as well as with outside primary care physician, specialists or community resources as needed.

Schedules follow up visits in a manner which appropriately allows for close management of patient’s condition

Qualifications:

1. Licensed in Oregon by the Oregon board of nursing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner with prescription privileges.

2. At least two years experience as a nurse in the psychiatric field.

3. Computer skills

4. Have excellent communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, comprehension); he/she must demonstrate that she/he will maintain cooperative working relationship with culturally diverse clients.