Under general supervision of the Chief of the Mental Health Program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) - Substance Abuse Specialist will provide comprehensive behavioral health and substance abuse services to patients across the life span. The Nurse Practitioner will provide services for the Native American population at the Winslow Indian Health Care Center and the Dilkon Medical Center, and will coordinate services with existing WIHCC, tribal, state, county and private service providers focused on behavioral health and substance use disorders. Will provide comprehensive assessment of patients’ psychiatric and substance abuse problems; and establish and implement a treatment plan. Demonstrates clinical competence in utilizing counseling and psychotherapeutic processes as well as psychopharmacology. Exercises informed judgment for prioritizing patient needs, while consulting other health care providers and physicians as necessary in the implementation of the treatment plan. The incumbent will uphold the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements.
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
- Performs bio-psychosocial assessment of patients and demonstrates competency in the delivery and documentation of the treatment processes for patients who may be afflicted with psychiatric and substance abuse problems as well as medical comorbidities. Diagnoses and manages complex conditions across the life span, including hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions; depression, anxiety, or suicidal/homicidal ideation; dementia or cognitive impairment; hyperactive, impulsive, and oppositional behaviors; or school, legal, occupational, or family problems.
- Assesses psychotherapeutic needs of the patient and family and collaborates with other Mental Health and health care providers in the planning and implementation of a treatment plan.
- Recognizes, documents and communicates changes in cognitive abilities, medical conditions, affect, behavior, mood dysregulation, and acute and persisting stressors in the patient.
- Documents medical records in accordance with ICD-10 and DSM-V-TR diagnostic standards. Makes appropriate entries of all care provided in patient medical records in accordance with WIHCC policies and procedures, as well as regulatory and CMS requirements; requirements of accreditation bodies such as the Joint Commission; and third party payers.
- Orders and/or interprets laboratory, imaging studies, and specialty referrals as indicated, and consistent with WIHCC medical priorities specified by the Purchased and Referred Care.
- Provides crisis interventions to patient and families as needed; arranges for hospitalization or residential treatment when necessary; and provides aftercare as needed.
- Assists the patient and patient’s family in coping with problems associated with substance abuse and mental illness.
- Formulates treatment plans, including prescribing age-appropriate psychotropic medications. Such medications will include FDA-approved agents for the treatment of substance abuse, such as buprenorphine for MAT of opioid use disorders, and naltrexone and acamprosate for alcohol use disorder.
- Works with Social Services, Law Enforcement, Probation Officers, and the Courts to assure proper supervision, protection, and placement for patients of all ages.
- Works with victims of sexual abuse and their families to maximize healing and function.
- Participates in case conferences and consultations to further identify patient needs and develop treatment plans accordingly.
- Assesses for substance abuse and dependency, medication compliance and patient safety for self and others in the family and in the community.
- Provides preventive community education to the schools and the chapters in the Winslow Indian Health Care Center’s service area as needed and as directed by supervisor.
- Serves on the rotational on-call schedule in accordance with the department’s policy to provide services to patients after normal working hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Engages in continuing education activities to remain up to date with evolving diagnostic criteria and psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic practices; and to maintain licensure requirements.
- Requires completion of tasks or duties assigned by a supervisor.
- Upholds all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
- Adheres to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
- Adheres to WIHCCs Personnel Policies and Procedures, departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
- Interacts in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees, visitors, and vendors.
- Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Maintains compliance with all Human Resources requirements.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master of Science Nursing Degree with a Certification as PMHNP from an accredited institution of Nursing. Certification as an advanced practice nurse by the ANCC or AANP; as well as a valid, unrestricted Registered Nurse license, and a license as a Nurse Practitioner with prescribing privileges. Bilingual skills in English and Navajo language preferred. Must maintain a valid unrestricted and insurable driver’s license. Must successfully pass a background investigation and maintain suitable requirements for a Child Care position. This position is considered as a Child Care position, which requires a satisfactory background check investigation and is subject to the requirements of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, as amended (henceforth referred as the ICPFVP Act).
Knowledge, Skills, Ability
- Extensive knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, including psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic management.
- Thorough knowledge of child development and mental health assessment and treatment in children.
- Knowledge of a broad range of patient care activities; working knowledge of the medical and specialty (referral) clinic environment and how the different services and functions interact.
- Knowledge and experience with ICD-10 and DSM-V standards; and CMS requirements for documentation.
- Knowledge of current healthcare industry Privacy Act, HIPAA, CMS, accreditation, and security requirements, and familiarity with and adherence to customer service standards and practices.
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements regarding healthcare and licensing.
- Knowledge of strong work ethics in the workplace.
- Knowledge of basic application of confidentiality.
- Knowledge of duties and responsibilities of the position.
- Knowledge of basic computer skills, e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Ability to be dependable in attendance and job performance.
- Ability to meet attendance, overtime (if necessary), and other reliability requirements of the job.
- Skills in advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking.
- Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, peers, and supervisors, and to communicate verbally and in writing on important issues involving patient care, standards of care, psychopathology, treatment issues, as well as policies, procedures, and facility operations. Ability to operate and communicate effectively while under pressure is essential.
- Ability to work independently, to plan, coordinate and implement treatment plans and departmental and interdisciplinary projects.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds, and with co-workers at all levels.
- Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice and desire to help when dealing with people.
- Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
- Ability to serve as an effective member of organizational teams and as a liaison with outside mental health, legal, and social service agencies.
- Ability to utilize an electronic health record.
- Ability to accept and learn from feedback.
- Ability to effectively communicate both in written and verbal.
- Ability to provide exemplary customer service at all times.
- Ability to interact positively with others and possess great interpersonal skills.
- Ability to multitask and perform well under pressure.
- Ability to have self-confidence.
- Ability to be a great team player.
- Ability to accept and learn from supervisor/peer critique.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the organization.
Physical Demands:
While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects and equipment, reach with hands and arms, and communicate effectively by talking and hearing. The employee frequently must stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and may occasionally use taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment:
Work is performed in an office setting or outdoor work environment with moderate noise levels. Work environment may involve exposure to physical risks, such as blood borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, or operating potential dangerous equipment, and requires adherence to all safety protocols. Required work schedules may include evening, weekend, overnight shifts, extended hours, or irregular schedules as operational needs dictate.
As required by P.L. 93-638, absolute preference will be given to qualified Navajo applicants. If there is no qualified Navajo applicant, preference will be given to qualified American Indian applicants.