Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

About the role

The Behavioral Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a member of the Behavioral Health prescribing team, providing psychiatric care across Urgent and Routine Outpatient Services, Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI), and Community Crisis Stabilization (CCS) for the Community Behavioral Health Center. The NP works within their scope of practice under the clinical supervision of the Medical Director and/or Supervising Psychiatrist to monitor each client's clinical status, lead a comprehensive medical team, and support clinical supervision of staff in service delivery.

The role includes psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children, adolescents, and adults with psychiatric issues and substance use challenges. When covering the CCS, the NP provides clinical and medical oversight of services, conducts initial evaluations within one day of admission, and participates in multidisciplinary team meetings. The NP also provides on-call support for MCI and CCS programs, directs and supervises CCS medical teams, and ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise the work of CCS medical teams, including registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer, CBHC Medical Director, and/or Supervising Psychiatrist.
• Conduct initial psychiatric evaluations for clients at the CCS within one day of admission, seven days per week, and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings throughout the client’s admission.
• Provide medication and medical services, monitor client responses to treatment and side effects, and educate clients about psychotropic medications.
• Lead clinical supervision of staff in service delivery in collaboration with program directors and management.
• Promote evidence-based practices and ensure medical services meet regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments, including mental health and substance use history, course of illness, mental status examinations, and DSM or ICD diagnoses.
• Provide on-site crisis assessment and management during regular hours and via phone during off-hours, including urgent and same-day access appointments.
• Assist in disposition determination for MCI as part of a 24/7/365 on-call rotation and provide on-call prescribing and crisis coverage as scheduled.
• Offer consultation for treatment planning, staff training, and client education on health promotion and maintenance.
• Participate in Risk Review Meetings and Adverse Event Reviews as needed.
• Develop and enhance relationships with community healthcare providers to improve client access to resources.
• Submit written reports and provide testimony in legal proceedings, including commitment hearings and Social Security applications.
• Coordinate medical treatments with primary care providers, specialists, and addiction treatment providers.
• Provide clinical consultation and expertise for MCI and CCS programs, including admission, discharge, assessment, and treatment planning.
• Attend case conferences, internal and external clinical meetings, and divisional meetings as necessary.
• Maintain continuing education credits and licensure requirements, and engage in prescribing practices based on current standards of care.
• Lead teams to foster an environment of inclusivity, learning, cultural and linguistic humility, and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in nursing required.
• Valid RN and APRN licensure in Massachusetts.
• Current Federal DEA and State Controlled Substances Certificates.
• Experience with services for children or youth with emotional dysregulation, mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders.
• Demonstrated experience in a related clinical setting, including management or administrative roles.
• Experience serving adults with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Experience working with youth, families, and adults using evidence-based practices in short-term therapeutic settings.
• Familiarity with MassHealth and managed care practices.
• Experience in prescribing or overseeing medication for youth and adults with co-occurring mental health and SUD concerns.

Skills

• Ability to function as a medical leader in a matrixed system of care.
• Experience mentoring and coaching staff at all levels.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources.
• Utilization of evidence-based best practices and empowerment techniques.
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Understanding of documentation requirements and ability to work professionally and confidentially.
• Knowledge of the Code of Ethics for nursing practice.

Benefits

• Fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan with no employee contribution required, plus an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• First-rate medical, dental, and vision plans with a generous employer contribution (available to employees working 30+ hours per week).
• Employer-paid life, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance with the option to purchase additional voluntary coverage.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care).
• Voluntary term, whole life, accident, and critical care insurance options.
• Generous paid time off for employees working 20+ hours per week:
  • 15 days of vacation per year.
  • 11 paid holidays.
  • 10 sick days per year.
  • 3 personal days per year.
• Educational Assistance and Remission Programs.
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap.
• Discounted YMCA memberships and movie tickets.

About Us

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services for individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Vinfen’s 3,500 dedicated employees provide supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services across over 550 sites in Massachusetts and Connecticut.