Behavioral Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Psychiatric APRN)

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Behavioral Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Psychiatric APRN) provides psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ongoing treatment planning to patients receiving behavioral health services at FoundCare. The Psychiatric APRN practices in accordance with state and federal regulations, HRSA, CMS, grant compliance requirements and FoundCare Behavioral Health protocols. The Psychiatric APRN functions as a key member of the interdisciplinary Behavioral Health team, collaborating closely with Behavioral Health Practitioners, Psychiatric Providers, Primary Care Providers (PCPs), Care Coordinators, and other clinical staff to ensure safe, high-quality, integrated, and patient-centered care.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Clinical Care & Psychiatric Services

• Build rapport with patients, using courteous and culturally sensitive approach to obtain complete and accurate information to assess and diagnose a diverse group of patients with mental health disorder(s).
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations following completion of a Behavioral Health evaluation and signed treatment plan when required by protocol.
• Diagnose psychiatric conditions in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.
• Provide medication management services, including initiation, adjustment, continuation, and discontinuation of psychotropic medications.
• Deliver psychiatric services to adult and/or pediatric populations as credentialed and clinically appropriate.
• Educate patients on medication purpose, benefits, risks, side effects, and alternatives, including non-pharmacologic treatment options such as psychotherapy.

Treatment Planning & Documentation

• Develop, review, and update individualized psychiatric treatment plans that demonstrate ongoing medical necessity.
• Ensure treatment plans are reviewed at least every 90 days and sooner when clinically indicated, consistent with FoundCare’s Behavioral Health Protocols.
• Utilize psychiatric progress notes to document treatment plan reviews when clinically appropriate and compliant with documentation standards.
• Complete all clinical documentation accurately, timely, and thoroughly in EPIC, including assessments, progress notes, medication management, labs, and care coordination.
• Avoid inappropriate duplication or “cut-and-paste” documentation and ensure clinical narratives reflect active medical decision-making.

Quality Measures & Compliance

• Ensure completion and review of required screening tools and quality measures at psychiatric visits, including but not limited to PHQ-9/PHQ-A, GAD-7, BMI, height, and weight, in coordination with clinical support staff.
• Order and monitor laboratory testing in accordance with FoundCare protocols:

-Quarterly labs for patients prescribed controlled substances.

-Biannual labs for patients prescribed non-controlled psychiatric medications.

• Verify controlled substance prescribing activity through Florida PDMP (E-FORCSE) prior to prescribing and as required thereafter.
• Educate patients on the risks and benefits of controlled substances and document informed discussions.
• Complete all internal trainings assigned within the timeframe.

Care Coordination & Integrated Care

• Collaborate with Behavioral Health Practitioners to encourage psychotherapy and supportive services for patients receiving psychotropic medications.
• Coordinate care with Primary Care Providers, specialty providers, Care Coordinators, pharmacies, and external partners as clinically indicated.
• Encourage use of FoundCare or contracted pharmacies to support continuity of care and medication access.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings and other mandatory staff meetings to remain up-to-date with changes within the organization.

Crisis & Safety Responsibilities

• Respond appropriately to behavioral health crises, including suicidal or homicidal ideation, in accordance with FoundCare crisis protocols.
• Participate in clinical decision-making and documentation related to safety planning and emergency interventions as needed.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in departmental meetings, interdisciplinary case conferences, and quality improvement activities.
• Maintain licensure, credentialing, DEA registration, and Medicaid/Medicare enrollment as required.
• Maintain clinical competency through continuing education and adherence to evidence-based practices.
• Support FoundCare’s mission, vision, values, and commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and psychopharmacology.
• Strong understanding of CMS, HRSA, and grant documentation expectations for behavioral health services.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation systems.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment, manage clinical risk, and prioritize patient safety.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams in the English language, with or without the use of auxiliary aids or services.
• Ability to provide culturally sensitive care to diverse patient populations.
• Ability to review, understand, and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature.
• Effective communication and motivational techniques for one-on-one and public presentation to diverse audiences.
• Clear understanding that FoundCare and related agencies provide information on educating individuals about safer sex practices, which could include but not be limited to: exposure to explicit language, explicit printed material, and descriptions of explicit sexual activities, as part of the agency's mission in the prevention and transmission of HIV disease.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to endure short, intermittent, or long periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• Full range of body motion. Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.
• Ability to lift & carry objects weighing up to 25lbs.
• Ability to use standard office and clinical equipment, including computers and telecommunication devices.
• Ability to travel to other FoundCare locations and perform job duties.
• Ability to travel to other locations to attend meetings, workshops, and seminars, plus travel to other FoundCare departments and FoundCare conference rooms.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Nursing with specialization as a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (PMHNP/APRN) from an accredited program.
• Active, unrestricted Florida APRN license with psychiatric specialty.
• DEA registration and eligibility to prescribe controlled substances.
• Minimum of three (3) years of clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner, preferably in behavioral health or community health settings.
• Eligibility for and maintenance of medical staff privileges, Medicaid, and Medicare credentialing.
• Completed clinical training in child/adult psychiatry and open to work with diverse populations.
• Preferred: Bilingual – English and Haitian Creole/Spanish is strongly preferred.
• This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.