Nurse Practitioner - Inpatient Psych (Per Diem)

Nurse Practitioner on Adult Inpatient Psychiatry (Blake 11) - per diem

Evening shift: 2:00-10:30pm

As a member of the Adult Inpatient Psychiatry Service (Blake 11) team, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) will assume the role of primary responding clinician in the assessment and care of patients on the unit. This would include diagnosis, treatment, education, and management of the patient.

The NP will collaborate with all the members of the care team including physicians, nurses, resource specialists, social workers, case managers, administrative staff, etc. to ensure optimal care. The NP will facilitate and coordinate the operational, administrative, and collaborative efforts of the multidisciplinary team.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Expectations

• Assesses, diagnoses, and treats the patients being evaluated and/or managed on Blake 11.
• Demonstrates critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning skills and strong clinical skills.
• Works independently within their scope of practice.
• Works within the context of an interdisciplinary team.

Clinical Practice

• Performs medically delegated aspects of patient care as agreed upon by nursing and medical administrators according to practice guidelines, such as ordering and interpreting lab and diagnostic testing.
• Prescribes medication and orders therapeutic treatments.
• Develops and assists in the development of Acute Care Plans for patients as indicated.
• Provides expert consultation to other nursing, physician, and hospital staff in order to maximize the opportunity to provide the most appropriate treatment and maintain safety of the patient and the staff.
• Engages with patients in all stages of readiness.
• Provides age-appropriate care to patients across the life span.
• Serves as a patient and family advocate and facilitates ethical and patient-centered decision making within the care teams.
• Determines level of care needs for patients and initiates referrals, transfers, and consultations as needed for general medical, behavioral health and substance abuse disorders.

Administrative/Business/Professional Leadership

• Monitors progress and evaluates the outcomes of their clinical practice.
• Suggests and facilitates initiatives that may have a department or hospital-wide impact on patient care.
• Serves as a role model to reflect commitment to the philosophy and vision of the MGH, and the Departments of Psychiatry and Nursing.

Education

• In collaboration with physician and nursing leadership, applies evidence-based research findings and experiential knowledge to support and advance clinical practice by all disciplines in the care of this patient population.
• Participates in the activities that contribute to the education of health care professionals, including presenting and publishing.
• Facilitates the educational experience of trainees in working with this patient population.

Research / Utilization

• Participates in and supports research activities that will positively influence in-patient care and patient care outcomes.
• Participates in and facilitates quality assurance and performance improvement activities for evaluation of structure, process, and outcome criteria as it relates to clinical practice.
• Stay up to date with current trends in health care and their implication to the treatment of patients with behavioral health and substance use disorders, including appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities as indicated for the management and related complications.

Clinical Leadership

• Integrates systems thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem solving in identifying interventions that facilitate quality, cost-effective patient care outcomes.
• Identifies factors contributing to outcomes, such as complications, increased length of stay, and over utilization of services and actively participates in problem solving these issues, in collaboration with appropriate staff.
• Facilitates patient movement through the system and efficient use of resources through intra and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Analyzes clinical and non-clinical variables to anticipate patient care needs and predict responses.
• Negotiates conflict to promote collaboration.

Professional Development

• Engages in self-performance appraisal on an annual basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas for professional and practice development.
• Identifies individual learning needs and goals and develops a plan to meet them.
• Maintains clinical knowledge and skills based upon current nursing and health care practices.
• Maintains membership in professional nursing organizations.
• Maintains the standards and educational requirements specific to the nurse practitioner role and licensure.
• Maintains and updates clinical knowledge and skills based on current health care practice/research.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & REGISTRATIONS:

• Current licensure as a Nurse Practitioner- Adult Psychiatric Mental Health in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
• Current federal and state-controlled substance certification/registration.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's and Master's in Nursing Required- Adult Psychiatric Mental Health

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 2 years advanced practice experience preferred in adult mental health.
• Previous nursing experience required