GILEAD - APRN Nurse Practitioner

GILEAD - APRN Nurse Practitioner 

Summary

Responsible for providing substance use disorder (MAT), psychiatric, cooccurring (Psych and SUD), and ongoing medication management to individuals within Farrell’s residential and outpatient programs. May prescribe and provide medication management to clients within other Gilead programs as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides psychiatric care to clients by overseeing and prescribing medications for the treatment of behavioral health and substance use disorders.  Position receives supervision by psychiatrist(s) and administrative oversight by the Clinical Department Director.
• Practices appropriate medication management and uses sound clinical judgment based on best practice standards.
• Provides clinical knowledge regarding severe and prolonged mental health and substance use disorders as well as medical knowledge related to heath and well being.
• Conducts psychiatric evaluations, Mental Status Exams for all newly admitted clients as well as follow-up appointments as needed. 
• Makes appropriate referrals for acute, chronic and preventative behavioral/medical health care.
• Practices appropriate follow up to special needs clients, including ordering of labs and diagnostic imaging consultation as indicated.
• Coordinates patient care with colleagues, nursing staff, reception, clinicians, case management staff and other agencies as necessary.  Assesses clinical risk factors and performs crisis evaluations as needed.

• Contributes to bio-psychosocial assessments, diagnosis, treatment plans and goals.
• Educates clients on preventive behavioral/medical health care and chronic disease management or refers to appropriate resources or agencies.  

• Documents all required encounters. Completes contacts and progress notes within 72 hours of encounter including client education, response to medications and assessment of any potential side effects or confounding variables.  Communicates pertinent client information to collaborative treatment team.
• Provides 65% of time working directly with clients.

• Supports the processes for all contractual agreements, certifications or licensing regulations including but not limited to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), CARF, and Department Public Health (DPH).
• Maintains and implements the Recovery philosophies with direct implications to staff, clients, family, and community development.
• Participates in clinical meetings and ad hoc work groups in an effort to carry out the mission of the program within and outside of the organization.
• Consults with psychiatrist(s) regarding medical and mental health needs regarding risk management.
• Works in coordination with the agency Administrative Support Staff for proficient service delivery.
• Working knowledge and proficiency with medicated assisted treatment (MAT) and best practices for pharmacologic treatment of substance use disorders.
• Basic understanding and working knowledge of various electronic health records and lab and medication ordering portals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities; however the APRN/PA’s role is to be a leader within their respective program(s).  Completes daily responsibilities with attentiveness to individual client needs and with willingness that supports effective team functioning.

Skills

Oral Communication Skills                    Professionalism            Psychopharmacology Knowledge

Written Communication Skills                Diplomacy                    Crisis Intervention

Technical Communication Skills             Organization                 Medication Management

Client-Customer Relational Skills           Time Management        DSM IV Knowledge      

Education and Years of Experience

• Degree:  A MA or higher degree in nursing from an accredited program to practice as an Advanced Practical Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant.  Connecticut licensure for Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered or PA required. Prefer certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
• Number of Years of Experience: 2

 
Requirements

• Prior medical and clinical experience in the field of mental health and addictions with experience providing MAT services.
• Must maintain and provide proof of valid driver’s license and automobile insurance in good standing.
• Ability to provide leadership under stressful or crisis situations.  Ability to problem-solve.  Ability to meet deadlines and establish and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to travel between Gilead locations or as needed for other job responsibilities.
• Must meet and maintain all required trainings, certifications etc. as needed.
• Demonstration of ethical behavior and sound judgment that supports the NASW standards of care.
• Uphold confidentiality by following the HIPAA regulations.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions are based in office settings. 
• Local travel.
• Possibility of exposure to unsanitary environments, bodily fluids.
• Possibility of exposure to use of substances, vulgar statements, or hostile/dangerous situations.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Requires the ability to coordinate hands and feet in performing simple movements, such as bending, reaching and grasping; to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from location to another. 
• Requires sufficient hand-eye coordination to perform skilled movements as well as semi-skilled repetitive movements.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST OF ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS OR WORKING CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POSITION.  WHILE IT IS INTENDED TO ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS, MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, ADD OR REMOVE DUTIES AND ASSIGN OTHER DUTIES AS NECESSARY.  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THIS POSITION.