About the position
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people's lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Psychiatric Advanced Practice RN is appointed by the Medical Director subject to the approval of the State Hospital Superintendent. Performs highly advanced (senior-level) psychiatric care under the supervision of a psychiatrist. Work involves assessing, planning, and providing comprehensive psychiatric patient care independently or in collaboration with other health care professionals; plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others, including other APRNs, as well as performs assigned administrative duties; meets face-to-face with individuals served as needed; directs psychiatric activities/treatment, monitors trends and activities, and makes recommendations for improvement; and prescribes medications, including antipsychotics, orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic testing, consults, and makes referrals. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Medical Director and represents the Medical Director in their absence; participates in the quality assessment and performance improvement programs; and serves as a leader of the patient's recovery team. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Works under the clinical and administrative supervision of the Medical Director and/or delegating physician. May also work collaboratively with physicians via telemedicine.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends.
Responsibilities
•Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
•Operates within the scope of their licensure to promote and maintain a therapeutic and safe psychiatric milieu. Oversees and provides acute and long-term psychiatric care to individuals, including daily assessment in the patient's mental health status. Evaluates and makes appropriate referrals for patient's injury or change in physical status. The assessment includes diagnosis, treatment, and development of a plan of care with documentation of the acute issue as it pertains to psychiatric treatment.
•Prescribes medications, including antipsychotics, orders laboratory and diagnostic testing, consults, makes referrals, and interprets the results.
•Provides psychiatric care by meeting face-to-face with individuals, which includes an initial and ongoing assessment for individuals with identified acute and long-term psychiatric diagnosis; conducts a review of appropriate treatment specific to the disease process; and updates or changes in psychiatric treatment are made as warranted.
•Provides comprehensive psychiatric care, which includes conducting rounds, leading Recovery Team Meetings, participating in court hearings, and serving as a liaison to the courts.
•Conducts periodic reviews of hospitalized patients when on-call for evaluation and documents the reported change in status or condition of individuals under treatment.
•Oversees and provides psychiatric diagnosis and the review of the recovery plan, including review of all the identified risks of the individual (choking, falls, seizures, aggression, etc.) as well as their health status, and ensures necessary supports (OT, PT, Nursing, etc.) have been identified and appropriate areas of need are being addressed.
•Oversees and develops accurate and timely documentation, which includes annual summaries, use of physical restraints, evaluating the correctness of assessments, compliance with policies and procedures, and revenue enhancement.
•Participates in the hospital wide quality assessment and performance improvement programs by performing audits of medical records, monitoring compliance with standards, developing plans of correction, monitoring implementation of performance improvement activities, and evaluating the outcome of those activities. They also participate in the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) by monitoring the practice of other APRNs and providing feedback to improve performance.
Requirements
•Knowledge of methods and procedures in the field of psychiatric nursing, including laws and ordinances governing mental health and hospital operations.
•Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for the delivery of medical/psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment.
•Knowledge of the principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of case histories and individualized care and recovery plans.
•Skill in interpretation of laboratory results.
•Skill in the care and treatment of patients and in the use of medical diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment.
•Ability to examine, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders.
•Ability to supervise the work of others who provide psychiatric care and medical, as needed.
•Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with developmental disabilities.
•Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
•Ability to prepare and maintain medical records.
•Ability to work productively with professionals and paraprofessionals as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
•Ability to work independently and be flexible in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
•Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
•Must be registered and certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by the Texas Board of Nursing or in another state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
•The APRN specialization must be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or other recognized certifying agencies.
•Must have, or have the ability to obtain, a current registration certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
•Must possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI#) as defined by Medicare Part B.
•Graduation from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse educational program accredited by a national Nursing education accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Board of Nursing with a Masters Degree or higher level.
•At least two (2) years' clinical nursing experience.
Nice-to-haves
•One (1) year of work as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is preferred.
•One (1) year of experience in supervising or leading the work of others.
Benefits
•Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.
