Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric

Overview

Are you looking for a career you can feel good about? We hire only those that strive to do their best. By joining our family, you'll receive the honor and recognition that comes with working for the industry's global leader in evidenced based rehabilitation.

Who We Are:

GEO provides complementary, turnkey solutions for numerous government partners worldwide across a spectrum of diversified correctional and community reentry services. From the development of state-of-the-art facilities and the provision of management services and evidence-based rehabilitation to the post-release reintegration and supervision of individuals in the community, GEO offers fully diversified, cost-effective services that deliver enhanced quality and improved outcomes.

Why Work for GEO:

• We believe that work is more than a place you go to every day. It is about being inspired and motivated to achieve extraordinary things.
• Employee benefits play an important role in making The GEO Group a great place to work. At GEO, we believe in the three pillars of employee wellbeing: physical, emotional, and financial. With comprehensive benefits and competitive wages, we trust that you will find all the resources you need here to be successful.

Responsibilities

Summary:

This position evaluates and treats inmates, detainees, or residents (I/D/R) demonstrating signs or symptoms of psychiatric or behavioral health disorders.  Supervises nursing staff providing mental health services. Works closely within a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide quality mental healthcare.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluates patients referred for assessment due to symptoms of behavioral health disorder(s).
• Provides appropriate medication management services for any patient requiring psychiatric intervention.
• Refers patients for psychotherapy, counseling or inpatient care as necessary.
• Completes suicide risk assessment as appropriate.
• Provides emergency psychiatric care as required.
• Consults with psychiatrist as appropriate and receives clinical supervision whenever required by licensing board in the state where the facility is located.
• Reviews and adjusts as necessary all maintenance medications based on clinical judgment and as required by policy.  
• Prescribes medications according to established formulary and follows protocol for requesting nonformulary medication only when determined that existing formulary medications would be ineffective in treating the patient.
• Demonstrates an awareness of drug seeking behavior and prescribes medication only when clinically appropriate to treat an identified mental illness as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition.
• Does not prescribe for insomnia but first refers patients to a psychologist, social worker, or mental health counselor to utilize cognitive-behavioral interventions for the treatment of insomnia when appropriate.
• Collaborate with counselors, social workers, psychologists, or other treatment team members to coordinate patient care.
• Schedules appropriate follow-up with patients consistent with policy and client requirements.
• Provides in-service education for medical and correctional staff as requested.
• Documents all services provided in the patient’s medical file.
• Participates in review of the quality of care provided.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Competencies Required:

Excellent diagnostic skills, patience and natural empathy are all key qualities we look for. Our employees feel proud to play a role in our patient’s re-entry to society.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s or Doctoral Degree from accredited Nursing Program.
• An unrestricted license to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)-PMH in the state in which the facility is located.
• ANCC or ANA certification as an APRN-PMH.
• Two (2) years of clinical experience as a psychiatric provider.
• Copy of professional license to remain on file at the Facility where services are rendered at all times.
• Must have a valid DEA number and unrestricted DEA license.
• Ability to work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.
• Ability to utilize an electronic health record and to complete documentation in a timely manner.
• Ability to pass any required background check.
• Complete credentialing process prior to the treatment of any patients.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently: Lift or carry and push/pull up to 40 lbs.; walk, stand, sit, bend, stoop and reach above shoulder level.
• Occasionally: Lift or carry and push/pull up to 60 lbs.; work with machinery and climb.

GEO Secured Services

Facility Overview

The facility provides a full range of correctional services including dental, medical and psychological services, education and vocational training. Work and educational programs are designed to reduce recidivism and include academic and vocational education, vocational planning, substance abuse education, general counseling, life skills and transition planning.