Psychiatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner @ San Antonio State Hospital

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 as delegated by 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. Prescribes medications to include antipsychotics, orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic testing, consults, and referrals. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Medical Director, including planning, assigning, and/or supervising the work of others; and representing the Medical Director in their absence. Participates in the quality assessment and performance improvement program. 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 other delegating physician. May also work collaboratively with physicians via telemedicine.

Apply Directly via Texas Health and Specialty Care System: CLICK HERE

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• 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 also 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 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 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 and evaluating the correctness of assessments, compliance with policies and procedures, and revenue enhancement.
• Participates in the hospital wide quality assessment and performance improvement program 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• 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
• Skills in interpretation of laboratory results
• Skills 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.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Must be a registered nurse in the State of Texas or in another state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact
• Must be certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by the Texas Board of Nursing
• The APRN specialization must be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or other recognized certifying agencies.
• Must have, or 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

Initial Screening Criteria:

• 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 master’s degree or higher level.
• At least 2 years of clinical nursing experience.
• One (1) year of work as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is preferred.
• Experience in supervising or leading the work of others.

You’ve decided to make caring your career. Come to the place where you can do that and make a real difference in the lives of Texans with mental health needs.

HHSC’s Health and Specialty Care System has nine state psychiatric hospitals (with more expansion planned) and a residential unit dedicated to adolescents. The State Supported Living Centers have 13 long-term care campuses across the state.  These centers are home to many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Join us and you’ll have the opportunity to work in partnership with academic institutions, community providers, and partners within our agency as we increase work efficiency and provide patient-centered care to more than 12,000 people a year. You can also help us incorporate cutting edge technology into treatment plans.

If you want to be on the forefront of revolutionizing forensic and community psychiatric care or ensure and oversee the delivery of high quality, integrated medical services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, the HHSC Health and Specialty Care System is looking for bright people with new ideas to help us. With a growing demand for our services and a State Legislature that’s investing in the entire mental health continuum of care, Texas is positioned to be a leader and put itself in on the cutting edge of mental health for the 21st Century. Come be a part of it.