Advanced Practice Nurse (Psychiatric)

About the role

At the Indian Health Service, Nurse Practitioners do more than practice medicine—they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most. Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose—and receive a recruitment/relocation sign‑on bonus, if eligible. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive psychiatric evaluations across the lifespan by obtaining and synthesizing biopsychosocial histories, mental status and physical findings, and diagnostic information; applies the current DSM to diagnose acute, chronic, and complex psychiatric and substance use disorders.
• Prescribes and manages psychotropic medications and other psychiatric treatments; orders and interprets clinically indicated laboratory and diagnostic studies; monitors therapeutic response, adverse effects, and medication safety, and modifies treatment based on findings.
• Assesses and manages psychiatric emergencies and high‑risk presentations, including suicidal or self‑harm risk, behavioral instability, and substance‑related crises; determines appropriate level of care and coordinates admission, discharge, transfer, or referral to higher‑acuity psychiatric services.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized, evidence‑based and culturally responsive psychiatric treatment plans for patients with psychiatric disorders and co‑occurring medical or psychosocial conditions, including psychotherapy when within scope of practice and certification.
• Provides psychiatric consultation and subject‑matter expertise to physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary teams regarding complex psychiatric cases, psychopharmacology, clinical protocols, and continuity and coordination of behavioral health care.
• Maintains accurate and compliant psychiatric documentation and participates in behavioral health program evaluation, quality and performance improvement, patient and family education, and adherence to applicable accreditation, regulatory, and clinical practice standards.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• This is a competitive vacancy advertised under Direct Hire Authority; selections will be processed as new appointments to the civil service.
• Position is covered by Public Law 101-630 requiring contact or control over Indian children; applicants must not have been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• IHS Selectees working in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to measles and rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations; vaccine exemption requests may be available per National/Service Unit guidance.
• On‑call hours or standby duty may be required.
• Must successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check.
• Position subject to rotating shifts; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; shift rotations may vary from 8, 10 and 12‑hour shifts.
• You will need to set up direct deposit for payment.
• Background Investigation Requirement: successful completion of a federal background investigation is a condition of employment; forms must be completed within 5 calendar days of issuance