Summary:

Provides comprehensive nursing care for assigned patients under the direction of a physician. Follows established nursing standards, procedures and practices, and gives patient care directions to nursing and other staff. Evaluates outcomes of direct patient care and consults with other specialists as required. Adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care. Arranges for patients' ordered diagnostic and therapeutic services. Monitors and ensures accuracy of recording on patient medical records. Provides preventative health care services to long-term patients and arranges consultations and referrals. Performs psychiatric exams, and may prescribe and recommend treatment and drugs.

Responsibilities:

• Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Core Standards for Advanced Practice:
• The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) shall know and conform to the Texas Nursing Practice Act; current board rules, regulations and standards of professional nursing; all federal state and local laws, rules and regulations affecting the advanced role and specialty area. When collaborating with other health care providers, the advanced practice nurse shall be accountable for knowledge of the statutes and rules relating to advance practice nursing and function within the boundaries of the appropriate advanced practice category.
• The APN shall practice within the advanced specialty and role appropriate to his/her advanced educational preparation.
• The APN acts independently and/or in collaboration with the health team in the observation, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care, counsel and health teachings of persons who are ill, injured or informed of experiencing changes in normal health processes; and in the promotion and maintenance of health or prevention of illness.
• When providing medical aspects of care, APN's shall utilize mechanisms which provide authority for that care. These mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, protocols or other written authorization.
• Assess and manage patient health problems including actual and potential conditions within the clinic or outpatient setting.
• Effectively identify, evaluate and address psychiatric disease prevention/health promotion issues of the population in practice while administering quality patient care.
• Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic and long-term healthcare psychiatric issues.
• Plan, implement and evaluate health care psychiatric treatments.
• Obtain psychiatric history to include mini mental exam, depression scale and Psychiatric Evaluation Intake examinations on patients of all appropriate age groups per scope of practice.
• Assess and interpret all assessment findings.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to individualize patient care in order to manage illnesses, promote well being, and foster rehabilitative/disease preventive life style choices.
• Prescribe medications and supportive therapies to help maintain mental health.
• Perform advanced procedures as verified and approved per credentialing committee.
• Educate patients and/or families about preventive care, psychiatric issues and use of prescribed medical treatments and/or medications.
• Work in an independent and interdependent relationship with members of the medical staff, which allows for consultation, collaboration and/or referral.
• Synthesize new knowledge gained from conferences, workshops and professional literature.
• Teach other healthcare professionals in the classroom, clinical area and/or community about practice, techniques and procedures which are unique to that specific clinical setting.
• Participate in basic science and clinical research projects. Prepare statistical reports and analyses to document progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Maintain legible, accurate and confidential medical records. This includes documenting all psychiatric evaluations diagnosis, procedures, treatments, outcomes, education, referrals and consultations consistent with governing boards such as NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance), JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), federal and state regulatory standards.

Requirements:

Education

• Advanced Nursing Degree required/Master's Degree required.

Experience

• Experience in specialty area.
• Experience in both clinical and management areas required.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and market services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated customer, team, and interdepartmental orientation based on CQI principals.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Current Texas State Advanced Practice Nurse license
• CPR-(American Heart Association)

Work Schedule:

PRN

Work Type:

Per Diem As Needed