Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - 24 Hours Day

Position Summary:

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant is responsible for providing mental health management, oversight of medical plans of care and preliminary and ongoing mental health assessments for incarcerated individuals and detainees within the Barnstable County Correctional Facility following established standards and practices and in accordance with security procedures of the facility. 

Supervision Received:

Receives direct supervision from the Nurse Manager and Health Services Administrator in performing duties in accordance with best practices and current standards of care. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs initial and ongoing mental health assessments and provides treatment, teaching, and/or referral to medical providers in accordance with facility- established providers orders.

Orders treatments, medications and diagnostic testing in accordance with identified medical mental health needs and current practice standards initially and ongoing under the supervision of the Psychiatrist.

Provides incarcerated individuals teaching regarding their mental health conditions, diagnosis, management of such and prevention of complications and healthy life strategies.  

Communicates with the medical staff, Health Services Administrator, mental health clinicians, Psychiatrist and Shift Supervisors to ensure conditions are treated and considered in facility processes.

Coordinates appointments for incarcerated individuals with mental health provider and consulting other providers.

Assists with mental health emergency medical care following assessments within the scope of services provided to incarcerated individuals.

Provides assessments as well as facilitate transfers of mental health facilities including but not limited to MCI Bridgewater in collaboration with the Psychiatrist and Medical Physician.

Provides consultations for psychiatric assessments for incarcerated individuals eligible for placement in community-based programs.

Provide assessments and evaluations for drug dependency, sexual dangerousness and competency to stand trial, and criminal insanity.

Maintains the confidentiality and accuracy of all incarcerated individuals’ residents’ medical records, including but not limited to daily sick call, refusal of treatment, medication dispensed, physical examination, etc.

Assists in the development of and modification of plans of nursing care for all incarcerated individuals. 

Implements and evaluates the medical mental health interventions ordered. 

Reviews and sign all verbal and telephone orders written by nursing staff.

Reviews consultant physician/emergency room reports and order any needed treatments, medication or appointments as recommended by the consulting physician.

Reviews all pertinent laboratory tests results, diagnostic test results.

Coordinates care for incarcerated individuals that are hospitalized for their return.

Determines placement of acutely suicidal or psychotic incarcerated individuals in forensic mental health restrictive rooms and make the determination as to when they are removed from this restrictive area under the supervision of the Psychiatrist.

Reports care issues to Health Services Administrator in a timely fashion.

Evaluates and treats incarcerated individuals sick call requests and prescribe diagnostics, medications and treatments per guidelines set forth by the Mass State Board of Medicine and Nursing.

Documents exams, findings, and treatments in accordance with facility standards for the electronic medical record within timeframes defined by the facility.

Informs the Medical Director/supervising physician of any significant changes in the incarcerated individual’s mental health condition.

Completes documentation as required by facility and medical standards.

Assists and collaborates with the medical providers regarding mental health sick call and all aspects of patient care.

Communicates with the supervising physician/Medical Director, Health Services Administrator and Shift Supervisors, members of the healthcare team to ensure mental health conditions are treated and managed in facility processes.

Orders incarcerated individuals’ appointments for consulting medical providers and/or external specialists.

Provides emergency medical care and triage within the scope of practice to incarcerated individuals and staff when needed. 

Maintains the confidentiality and accuracy of all incarcerated individuals incarcerated individuals’ medical records, including but not limited to daily sick call, refusal of treatment, medication dispensed, ongoing assessments and reassessments of needs, physical examination, etc.

Develops, implements, evaluates, and modifies mental health plans of care for all incarcerated individuals.

Functions as part of the Interdisciplinary Care Team.

Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Job Competencies:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and best practices. 

Proficient with medical coding programs or related software.

Organized with attention to detail.

Working knowledge of correctional facilities policies and procedures. 

Ability to maintain good attendance. 

Excellent interpersonal skills. 

Ability to prioritize and problem solve in a high-pressure environment. 

Ability to exercise discretion and good judgement and to handle confidential information. 

Ability to maintain all certifications as necessary.

Ability to attend necessary trainings as required.

Licensure by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing is required.

Current Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration is required.

Current DEA Controlled Substance Registration.

CPR certification required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner is required.

A minimum of one (1) years of experience in a correctional facility and/or substance abuse/detox preferred is preferred but not required.