Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

*****The APRN will provide services at the CIBH and REST Programs.

Scope of Service: As an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN-Prescriber) provides clinical services in an outpatient setting. Applies medical knowledge and skills to the process of diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of illnesses. Conducts psychiatric evaluations and diagnostic assessments, offering psychotropic treatment options and input to treatment plan. Performs, analyzes and documents findings for mental health and substance abuse assessments and interventions as appropriate for specialty training and population services. Other duties include but are not limited to providing consultations regarding diagnosis and treatment to other agency staff or to community partners (i.e. emergency room and local MDs) and participating in authorizations of medical necessity and other utilization management duties.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

•    Performs psychiatric diagnostic evaluations to determine diagnoses, 

     treatment strategies, and care coordination needs for clients with mental health,  substance use, or other psychiatric and medical needs.
•   Performs pharmacologic treatment strategies, orders medications, monitors,      and evaluates progress on psychiatric and/or other medications.
•    Assesses need for and orders/monitors/evaluates/ and provides clinical 
     interpretation for ongoing evaluation needs for prescribed treatments to              include but not limited to lab tests, specialty consults, and coordination      needs and clinical data.
•     Completes medication/health education to include but not limited to        informed 
     consent, benefits, risks, side effects, and alternative treatments for medications 
     ordered, health/wellness management, metabolic risk reduction strategies.
•    Evaluates clients by conducting intakes, assessing their medical histories,        and conducting psychological testing. Analyzes data and the results of their 
     assessments in order to diagnose clients.
•     Prescribes and administers treatments and medication depending on client 
     diagnosis.
•    Develops treatment plans, evaluating the results of that plan and making 
     changes as necessary.
•    Manages medication refill requests from clients and agency electronic medication program. 
•    Performs timely, concurrent, accurate clinical/billing documentation meeting 
     professional standards in compliance with State and Federal regulations. 
     Documentation and billing coding for all services fully support clinical necessity and appropriate E & M coding standards.
•    Assures timely access to care, demonstrates flexibility in scheduling to fully meet client needs and meets applicable productivity standards.
•    Provides clinical guidance and crisis intervention support while demonstrating the ability to provide comprehensive treatment planning and active supports for the care and treatment of clients. 
•   Consults and/or refers complex cases with Medical Director as clinically 
     indicated.
•    Coordinates on-call coverage within program.
•    Engages in program analysis, design, and implementation while in close 
     collaboration with Medical Director.
•    Provides clinicians, medical personnel, and new staff with program orientation and training.
•    Networks with community providers and collaborating with client care teams as needed.
•    Conducts job performance evaluations of staff, as assigned. Addresses concerns with staff or other professionals constructively and in a timely fashion.
•    Conducts ongoing staff meetings and clinical rounds to ensure services are 
     responsive to client needs.
•    Provides coordination with other agency and/or community programs and 
     services in order to assure client care is appropriate, complementary, and 
     continuous.

Quality Assurance – Chart Documentation and Professional Development:
•    Adheres to policies and practices as outlined in the staff handbook and program operations manual.
•      Consistently works in a respectful, constructive, and cooperative manner with fellow staff and providers.
•     Upholds all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 
      regulations and secures all necessary releases of information for outside 
      communication.
•     Models culturally competent behavior interacting with clients, 
      professionals/providers, and fellow staff.
•     Ensures client records and billing of services are maintained in accordance with all applicable contractual, licensing, and accrediting requirements. 
•     Completes clinical documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
•     Adheres to the standards and regulations of the Department of Public Health, Council on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS).
•     Maintain licensures, registrations and continuing education requirements 
      necessary for continuing practice.
•     Ensures compliance with all internal and external Quality Inspection 

Reviews.
•      Participates in agency committee work when available or as permitted.
•      Completes all training requirements as assigned by agency.

QUALIFICATIONS
• PMHNP (APRN) or equivalent with board certification in psychiatric specialty.
• License to practice in the state of Connecticut in good standing.
• DEA registration including waiver to prescribe buprenorphine.
• Prior experience working with people with severe and persistent mental illness,    intellectual disabilities and/or addiction disorders is required.
•  Valid Connecticut Driver’s license with clean record is required and must be 
    maintained.
• First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.  Employee is responsible to maintain ongoing certification.
• Proficient computer skills required, including Microsoft Office and electronic 
   record keeping.