Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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, the practice was founded by Dr. Matthew Barnas, a Yale-trained, board-certified Geriatric and Adult Psychiatrist. Dr. Barnas has held leadership roles at Overlook Hospital, Runnells Hospital, and the East Orange V.A. Dr. Unnati Patel, board-certified in Adult Psychiatry, joined in 2014 after serving as Director of Psychiatry Consultation at RWJ Somerset Medical Center and Chief Resident at New Jersey Medical School.

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 to ensure an efficient workflow. There are no hospital-based services, admissions, discharges, or extensive administrative tasks beyond 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 no rounds, admissions, or discharges, and calls are infrequent (often zero per shift). The daily schedule is flexible, offering significant autonomy while providing full support from three psychiatrists and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial and follow-up psychiatric consultations in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.
• Complete light clinical documentation, including initial and follow-up progress notes.
• Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications.
• Participate in a telephone-based on-call schedule (approximately one weeknight in seven and less than one weekend per month).
• Provide in-person services at assigned facilities, including moving between patient rooms and offices.

Requirements

• Active and unrestricted NJ APRN license.
• NJ DEA certification.
• AANP certification (PMHNP required in Pennsylvania; PMHNP, Family, or Geriatric acceptable in NJ).
• 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 walk, stand, and move throughout the facility during the workday.

Experience prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications is strongly preferred, though training may be provided for the right candidate.

Benefits

• Competitive full-time salary starting at $130,000 and upward, based on experience, with annual increases and productivity bonuses.
• Option for full health benefits and a retirement plan (full-time position).
• 4 weeks of paid time off (PTO).
• 3 CME days with stipend and/or reimbursement for license renewals.
• Paid national holidays.

Join a growing, supportive team with the full backing of three psychiatrists and a collegial network of NPs and PAs.