Nurse Practitioner (Medical)

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner at the Recovery from Addictions Program (RAP). The ideal candidate will conduct biopsychosocial assessments/reviews, and orders psychopharmacological interventions to assist in the care and treatment of clients involved at RAP. The selected applicant will comply will all federal regulations, 42 CFR Part 2 and Part 8, Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse clients and HIPAA Regulations, assuring clients' care meets best practice standards.

The Nurse Practitioner provides clinical direction and interface to other clinical programs where individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders are sent for community-based treatments and consults activities related to substance use disorders, mental illness, and criminal justice issues.

Work Schedule: The selected candidate will work 40 hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. The days off are Sunday and Saturday.

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

• Performs, as needed, client history and physical exams, diagnostic evaluations, Clinical Risk Assessments, and ongoing psychopharmacological treatment to clients.

• Provides active treatment for individuals committed to the program; performs additional clinical assessments and other medication/treatment related consultation.

• Conducts collateral consultations with community provides, including, but not limited to, methadone clinics, specialty medical services and residential programs.

• Consults and educates with court systems, community providers, and agencies involved with clients who are committed for treatment.

• Establishes and maintains working relationships with internal/external contacts by maintaining regular meetings and trainings.

• Completes data collection forms as required by DMH and maintains accurate statistics on work product, clinical treatment assessment and consultation activity.

• Stays informed on current working knowledge of developments, trends, policies, and procedures in the substance use treatment system and mental health systems.

• Maintains continuing education as necessary to continue current licensure and board certification.

• Participates in policy development discussions, committees, and work groups.

• Provides clinical consultation on problematic cases being followed by other team staff, when requested, as an expectation of a collegial team relationship.

• Mentors and supervises mental health professional trainees as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of practical nursing.

• Ability to relate well with staff, patients, and internal/external individuals.

• Experience with the types and availability of public or private community-based organizations and resources for treatment or rehabilitation of individuals with a substance use disorder.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current working knowledge of developments, trends, policies, and procedures in the generic substance use treatment system and mental health systems and in the provision of substance use services to persons involved in the civil and criminal justice system.

• Demonstrated capacity to work cooperatively within an interdisciplinary team and with other clinicians.

• Knowledge of methods and procedures in the field of general medicine; and of principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of individualized care and treatment plans.

• Ability to recognize medical conditions and refer for appropriate care.

• Skilled in conducting biopsychosocial assessments and prescribing mental health medications.

• Thoroughness, independence, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Competence in maintaining accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information; resolve problems and conflicts in a diplomatic and tactful manner.

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

About the Recovery from Addictions Program (RAP):

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) in collaboration with the Department of Public Health (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services operates a statewide Recovery from Addictions Program (RAP) for individuals civilly committed by the courts for substance use treatment for up to 90 days ("Section 35 commitment").

The program model will provide acute detoxification and early clinical stabilization services as we help clients develop community-based linkages to outpatient supports and substance use disorder treatment providers. The individuals treated within this program will be linked upon discharge to a range of services within the DPH continuum of care for substance use conditions. RAP provides administrative, medical, clinical, and non-clinical services. Its mission to provide quality client-centered care and recovery-oriented treatment.

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact Employment & Staffing at 1 (800) 510-4122, Option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic, or medical facility, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements:

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.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.