Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
About Us
Pelorus Elder & Behavioral Health is a boutique Geriatric and Adult Psychiatry practice specializing in psychiatric services for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Established in 2009 and recently rebranded from NJ Memory and Behavioral Care, our practice was founded by Dr. Matthew Barnas, board-certified in Geriatric and Adult Psychiatry, with training from Yale University. Dr. Barnas has held leadership roles including Associate Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Overlook Hospital, Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at Runnells Hospital, and Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at the East Orange V.A.
Dr. Unnati Patel, board-certified in Adult Psychiatry, joined Pelorus in 2014 after serving as Director of the Psychiatry Consultation service at RWJ Somerset Medical Center and Chief Resident of Psychiatry at New Jersey Medical School. As we expand, we are seeking enthusiastic clinicians to join our team.
About the Role
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will conduct initial and follow-up psychiatric consultations in select assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Daily patient encounters typically range from 11 to 16, depending on the mix of initial versus follow-up visits. The role involves minimal clinical documentation—only initial and follow-up progress notes—using streamlined, one-page templates for efficiency.
Responsibilities include no hospital-based services, admissions, discharges, or extensive administrative tasks beyond clinical documentation and billing submission. Participation in a telephone-based on-call schedule is required, averaging about one weeknight in seven and less than one weekend per month. On-call duties are phone-only, with infrequent calls (often zero per shift).
The work schedule is flexible, offering autonomy while providing full support from three psychiatrists and colleagues. Experience prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications is strongly preferred, though we are open to training the right candidate.
Requirements
- PMHNP certification required in Pennsylvania; PMHNP, FNP, or Geriatric NP acceptable in New Jersey
- Active and unrestricted MD APN license, MD CDS, NJ DEA, and AANP certification
- Effective oral and written communication in English
- Basic proficiency with technology, including electronic health records (EHR)
- Strong organizational and documentation skills, with attention to regulatory compliance
- Ability to provide in-person services at assigned facilities
- Physical ability to walk, stand, and move between patient rooms and offices throughout the day
Benefits
- Full-time salary starting at $130,000 yearly, with annual increases and productivity bonuses
- Option for full health benefits and retirement plan (full-time positions)
- 4 weeks of paid time off (PTO)
- 3 CME days with stipend and/or reimbursement for license renewals
- Paid national holidays