Nurse Practitioner

Job Description

Join a team of dedicated professionals at a state-of-the-art psychiatric care facility, where the Nurse Practitioner role is essential in delivering comprehensive, person-centered mental health treatment to adult patients. In this role, you will provide direct psychiatric care-including assessment, diagnosis, and medication management-while collaborating closely with psychiatrists and multidisciplinary teams. This is an opportunity to serve a diverse patient population, contribute to recovery-focused care, and take a leadership role in shaping treatment plans and unit practices rooted in the latest clinical evidence.

This position offers a dynamic environment where clinical expertise, compassion, and critical thinking intersect. Beyond patient care, you will influence the therapeutic milieu through education, group leadership, and advocacy, ensuring that both staff and patients benefit from the highest standards of psychiatric nursing. Whether working on complex legal matters like substituted judgment hearings or supporting continuity of care through discharge planning, your work will make a measurable impact on patient recovery and long-term outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide direct psychiatric care to adult patients, including comprehensive assessments, diagnoses, treatment planning, medication management (Schedules II-VI), and ongoing evaluation of treatment effectiveness in collaboration with a supervising psychiatrist.
• Conduct physical examinations, obtain medical histories, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe treatment to manage both psychiatric and medical needs, ensuring safe and evidence-based care delivery.
• Lead and participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, guiding care planning and coordination, and serve as a clinical resource to nursing and support staff to enhance recovery-oriented practices.
• Educate and consult with nursing staff on evidence-based psychiatric practices, person-centered care, and recovery models to ensure alignment with current clinical standards and facility protocols.
• Facilitate patient and family engagement by providing psychoeducation, supporting guardianship processes, and promoting shared decision-making where appropriate and authorized.
• Prepare legal documentation, affidavits, and treatment plans related to patient capacity and substituted judgment hearings; provide expert testimony in court proceedings as required.
• Collaborate with primary care providers and other healthcare professionals to assess medical needs, coordinate care during hospitalization, and develop safe and effective discharge and aftercare plans.
• Perform AIMS testing, manage side effects of psychiatric medications, and monitor treatment outcomes, ensuring compliance with facility guidelines and standards of psychiatric care.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, treatment interventions, progress notes, and legal status updates in accordance with hospital workflows and regulatory requirements.
• Uphold professional standards by practicing within a defined Scope of Practice agreement, maintaining active licensure and certifications, and participating in continuing education to meet Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing requirements.

• Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) by a nationally recognized accrediting body (e.g., ANCC).
• three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic, or medical facility.
• Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Current and valid authorization to practice as a Nurse Practitioner by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
• At least two years of experience providing psychiatric care in an inpatient, forensic, or community mental health setting.

• Must hold a current Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration and Drug Enforcement Administration number for prescription writing
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal processes related to psychiatric care, including substituted judgment, commitment hearings, and guardianship procedures.
• Must have or be able to obtain Mass. Controlled Substance Certificate
• Experience working within multidisciplinary treatment teams and contributing to integrated care planning.
• Strong familiarity with evidence-based psychiatric treatment guidelines, including psychopharmacology and therapeutic interventions.
• Proficiency in electronic health record (EHR) systems and documentation standards in behavioral health settings.
• Ability to assess, oversee, and triage complex psychiatric presentations in acute and subacute care environments.
• Training in trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented treatment models.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills in both clinical and legal settings.