Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - PMHNP

Job Description

Job Description

At Northern Counties Health Care, our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are vital partners in advancing whole-person care for our community. We are seeking a compassionate and skilled PMHNP to provide high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health services across the Northeast Kingdom. In this role, you will work collaboratively with primary care providers, therapists, and care coordinators to deliver evidence-based psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ongoing support that helps patients achieve stability and resilience. If you are mission-driven, value teamwork, and are passionate about making mental health care accessible to all, we invite you to bring your expertise and heart to our team.

Position Summary:

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is a key member of our integrated care team, responsible for providing comprehensive psychiatric care to patients of all ages within their scope of practice. across the lifespan. The PMHNP will work collaboratively with primary care providers, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered mental health services. This role is crucial in expanding access to psychiatric care within our community.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Care:

1. Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including diagnostic assessments, risk assessments, and formulation of treatment plans for individuals with a wide range of mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, ADHD).
2. Provide medication management services, including prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting psychotropic medications.
3. Order and interpret necessary laboratory and diagnostic tests.
4. Provide brief psychotherapy or counseling services as appropriate, and make referrals to other behavioral health specialists for more intensive therapy.
5. Document all patient encounters accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner in the electronic health record (EHR), in compliance with FQHC standards and billing requirements.

Collaboration & Integration:

1. Work as an integral part of an interdisciplinary care team, participating in case conferences and team meetings.
2. Consult with and provide guidance to primary care providers on managing patients with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.
3. Collaborate with case managers, social workers, and community resources to address social determinants of health and ensure patients receive holistic support.

Patient Education & Advocacy:

1. Educate patients and their families about mental health conditions, treatment options, medication benefits, and potential side effects.
2. Empower patients to be active participants in their own care.
3. Maintain patient confidentiality and act as a patient advocate.

Compliance & Professionalism:

1. Adhere to all professional and ethical standards, as well as state and federal regulations.
2. Maintain current licensure, certifications, and continuing education requirements.
3. Participate in quality improvement initiatives, peer reviews, and performance evaluations.

Qualifications:

Education: Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited PMHNP program.

Licensure & Certification:

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Vermont.
• Current, unrestricted Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) license in the state of Vermont.
• National certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
• Current DEA license.

Experience:

• 1-3 years of experience as a PMHNP is preferred, but new graduates with strong clinical training and a passion for community health are encouraged to apply.
• Experience working in an FQHC, community health, or similar setting serving diverse and underserved populations is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and psychopharmacological skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with a diverse patient population.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, integrated team.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs) and other healthcare technology.
• Cultural humility and a commitment to health equity.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Continuing medical education (CME) allowance and paid time.
• Federal student loan repayment options through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
• Malpractice coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).
• Supportive and mission-driven work environment.

About Northern Counties Health Care:

Northern Counties Health Care is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and compassionate healthcare to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Our integrated model of care includes primary care, dental, behavioral health, and other support services to address the full spectrum of our patients' needs. We are dedicated to health equity and serving diverse, often underserved, populations in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.