Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Position Summary

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) provides comprehensive psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and medication management services for adult guests with substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, and other psychiatric conditions. The PMHNP collaborates with psychiatrists, physicians, nursing staff, therapists, counselors, and other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care that supports recovery and promotes positive treatment outcomes.

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner practices within the scope of New Jersey Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) licensure, organizational policies, and all applicable federal and state regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for patients upon admission and throughout treatment.
• Develop individualized psychiatric treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Prescribe, monitor, adjust, and discontinue psychiatric medications in accordance with New Jersey law and organizational policies.
• Evaluate medication effectiveness, adverse reactions, side effects, and patient response to treatment.
• Order, interpret, and review laboratory testing, urine drug screens, diagnostic studies, and other clinical assessments as indicated.
• Provide ongoing psychiatric medication management and follow-up appointments based on patient acuity and clinical need.
• Evaluate patients for withdrawal symptoms and collaborate with medical providers regarding detoxification and withdrawal management protocols.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and provide psychiatric recommendations regarding diagnosis, medications, level of care, and discharge planning.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, physicians, nursing staff, therapists, counselors, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.
• Complete psychiatric evaluations, progress notes, medication management documentation, and all required clinical documentation within established timeframes.
• Enter psychiatric orders, medication orders, laboratory orders, and treatment recommendations into the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Educate patients regarding psychiatric diagnoses, medications, treatment expectations, medication adherence, and recovery planning.
• Participate in crisis intervention and psychiatric emergency evaluations as needed.
• Assist with utilization review activities, including peer-to-peer reviews and medical necessity documentation.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, DEA regulations, New Jersey Board of Nursing regulations, and organizational policies.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, committee meetings, staff education, and clinical performance improvement activities.
• Maintain professional competency through continuing education and evidence-based practice.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education
• Master's or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from an accredited Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.

Licensure & Certifications

Required

Preferred

• X-waiver experience or familiarity with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) protocols (if applicable).
• ACLS certification.

Experience

Required

• Minimum one (1) year of psychiatric clinical experience as a PMHNP or equivalent psychiatric nursing experience.

Preferred

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties as business needs require. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Alina Lodge is an at-will employer. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate manager or other management as required. Alina Lodge reserves the right to revise or change job duties as needed. This job description is not a written or implied contract of employment.