Psych Nurse Practitioner - Non-Crisis - Phoenix, Mesa, Avondale

Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) is an integrated behavioral healthcare agency offering a variety of different programs throughout Arizona. CBI provides residential, outpatient, inpatient, patient-centered medical homes, medication-assisted treatment, and crisis services to individuals experiencing crisis, opioid use disorder, homelessness, and mental illness.

At Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI), a psychiatric practitioner is an integral specialty for our whole person approach in our integrated system of physical, psychiatric, and addiction services. The scope of practice of psychiatric practitioner in the inpatient setting will see adults 18 and older, all genders, all socio-economic backgrounds, complex medical history, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric practitioners at CBI will be expected to provide patient-centered, evidence-based care for patients as well as serve as patient advocates in all health-related matters, including the appropriate use of specialists, health services, and community resources.

About the Role

CBI is looking for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) for the following positions:

• PMHNP/FNP – Crisis Sobriety Center – AM/PM shifts (Sunday – Tuesday, rotating Wednesday; or Wednesday – Saturday).
• PMHNP – (SMI Caseload) – Full time on site, Mesa location; 8AM-4PM Monday – Friday.
• PMHNP – ACT/FACT – Full time on site, Central Phoenix; 8AM-5PM Monday – Friday.

Responsibilities

• Complete urgent psychiatric and/or addiction medicine evaluations for patients referred to the 23-hour observation unit from hospitals, urgent care centers, law enforcement, and other medical practitioners for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations.
• Perform urgent psychiatric assessments, addiction medicine evaluations, ambulatory detox, or physical health assessments for patients identified by CBI screening staff.
• Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, or discharges to different CBI programs or levels of care, ensuring smooth transitions and proper documentation.
• Initiate and document doctor-to-doctor communication for care coordination.
• Evaluate all patients on the unit at least daily to adjust treatment and discharge planning as needed.
• Assess and document the appropriate use of seclusion and restraint, including:
  • Current behaviors, known medical/psychiatric conditions, and current medications.
  • Writing or signing orders for seclusion/restraint within three hours, including duration (maximum three continuous hours).
  • Completing an assessment within one hour of restraint/seclusion initiation to determine continuation or termination.
• Review and document discharge plans during rounds with assigned CBI medical staff, including full discharge orders and follow-up recommendations within 24 hours of discharge.
• Remain on the unit for the entirety of the scheduled shift unless prior approval is obtained from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or designee.
• Complete and review applications for involuntary evaluation and emergency admission, with decisions made within two hours of receipt.
• Complete admission orders (in person or verbally to a nurse) and sign within 24 hours of admission.
• Conduct daily staffing and rounds, including:
  • Psychiatric evaluations at least once every 24 hours (or sooner if clinically necessary).
  • Reviewing cases with RN and Crisis Specialist for discharge planning.
  • Documenting rounds in progress notes and reviewing cases with the oncoming practitioner at shift changes.
• Maintain treatment of physical health and coordinate with primary care providers (PCPs) and other prescribers.
• Coordinate internal consults and care transitions between CBI programs or levels of care.
• Complete psychiatric evaluations and document them in patient files for all inpatient admissions.
• Write or sign orders for pain management evaluations if clinically indicated and outside the scope of the attending practitioner.
• Provide necessary documentation and treatment for patients under petition or court-ordered treatment.
• Evaluate and document ongoing mental health/psychiatric and physical health needs prior to discharge.
• Support utilization review activities by documenting admission and continued stay necessity, including completion of certification for Level I admissions.
• Participate in practitioner meetings, regulatory surveys, peer review activities, and performance improvement projects.
• Comply with work schedules to meet clinical and business needs, providing a minimum of 60 days’ notice for time off and arranging shift coverage.
• Adhere to all CBI policies and procedures, including documentation requirements (complete within 24 hours of visit).
• Participate in training new clinical staff and attend educational meetings as required.
• Maintain professional integration by recognizing practice limitations and seeking consultation when necessary.

Requirements

• Complete CBI orientation, including shadowing another practitioner prior to working with patients.
• Complete a TB skin test prior to working with CBI patients and annually thereafter; submit results to the Credentialing department.
• Obtain and maintain a Suboxone waiver to treat the maximum number of eligible patients, including maintaining necessary patient data logs.
• Provide evidence of CPR/First Aid certification prior to working with patients and renew every two years; submit documentation to the Credentialing department.
• Maintain a minimum 85% compliance with documentation requirements.
• Do not cancel patient appointments without prior notification to CBI or refuse to see patients without approval from the Medical Director.
• Adhere to appointment scheduling protocols assigned by the Medical Director.
• Maintain a minimum 85% patient satisfaction rate; submit a plan of correction if performance falls below this threshold for two consecutive months.
• Maintain a minimum 75% follow-up rate.
• Complete and document all medication assessments and informed consents by the end of the assigned shift or within 24 hours of seeing the patient.
• Review the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program prior to treatment and coordinate care with other prescribing practitioners.
• Utilize e-Prescribing for all patient prescriptions as established in the CBI electronic medical record.
• Participate in quality management initiatives and correct identified deficiencies within 72 hours (exceptions require approval).
• Attend regular staffing, rounds, and practitioner meetings (minimum of 3 quarterly meetings per year).
• Provide a minimum of 60 days’ notice for time off and coordinate shift coverage.
• Notify the Director of Medical Practice and Medical Director in case of an emergency preventing shift coverage.