Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

The Psychiatric Midlevel Practitioner functions within the Mental Health Outpatient Department to provide behavioral health assessment and treatment in close collaboration with the Psychiatrist, medical providers, and the behavioral health team. Such treatment will include maintaining an independent caseload and assisting other mental health providers in their clinical treatment of patients.

The Psychiatric Midlevel Practitioner provides a wide range of mental health treatments including medication management. This position requires active and collaborative working relationships with the Psychiatrist, as well as other behavioral health and medical providers. The Midlevel Practitioner often serves as a liaison between behavioral health and medical care, to ensure effective communication and continuity of care. Difficult clinical decisions regarding complex and critical patient care issues will regularly involve the Midlevel Practitioner in potentially stressful working conditions. The Midlevel Practitioner will serve clients with persistent and chronic mental illness, which may involve interventions to ensure the safety of the client and community. This position is largely conducted independently with consultation and support from the behavioral health team, particularly during crisis situations. The Midlevel Practitioner demonstrates respect and care within a framework of culturally competent communication.

This position requires maintaining complete and accurate records including Intake Assessment, Treatment Planning, Progress Notes, and Discharge Summary. All documents must meet QA/QI criteria essential for maintaining Medicaid compliance and accreditation requirements.

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Manages a caseload of patients within an interdisciplinary team model with psychiatric and substance use disorders, medical conditions, and extensive psychosocial stressors.  The mid-level provider will perform medical and psychosocial assessments, patient and family education and disposition planning.  Responsibilities will include coordination of referrals to other facility services and community agencies.  This position requires critical decision making regarding a patient’s condition and an appropriate plan of care.  Provide mental health care services in an outpatient setting in collaboration with the Psychiatrist and other SEARHC providers.  This includes mental health evaluations, problem-based counseling, medication management, and other appropriate treatment.

• Provides hospital, clinic and village based mental health assessment, consultation, and acts as liaison to SEARHC clinic and/or hospital medical staff to ensure continuity of care.

• Participates in medical staff functions as requested, peer review, patient care conferences, quality assurance and other relevant reviews and meetings.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Graduation from a Physician’s Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program.

• PA: National certification as a PA.

• PA: Licensed in state of Alaska or obtain license in Alaska within 6 months of employment.

• NP: Current full, unrestricted Registered Nursing license in Alaska or other U.S. state required. Direct Hire must have applied for an Alaska nursing license before start date. Agency staff must have an active Alaska license.

• Basic Life Support (BLS)

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience Required

• 2 years of experience in mental health treatment at the PA/NP level or prior training.

• Experience that allows the practitioner to work independently in a wide range of mental health settings.

Knowledge of

• Demonstrated knowledge of clinical mental health treatment as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant including assessment, diagnosis, and standards of care.

• Demonstrated knowledge of current developments and best practices in mental health treatment and medication management. 

Skills in

• Professional clinical skills in the practice of medicine, including assessment, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health conditions.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to ensure thorough documentation and positive working relationships with patients and other health care providers.

• Skilled in differential diagnosis including identification of interactions between physical conditions, mental health issues, and substance use disorders.

Ability to

• Ability to work cooperatively with other health care and social service professionals.

• Ability to integrate information from a variety of sources to assess, diagnose and treat complex conditions in both routine and crisis situations.

• Ability to apply best practices, standards of care, and ethical guidelines in interactions with patients and staff.

Required Certifications:

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!