Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Under the direction of the Health Services Administrator and in collaboration/under the supervision of the Psychiatrist is responsible to provide the delivery of mental health services for inmates and detainees within the Barnstable County Correctional Facility following established standards and practices and in accordance with security procedures of the facility

• Perform mental health initial and ongoing mental health assessments on inmates timely according to CMR regulations and detainees (as needed).
• This position requires direct inmate contact.
• Order treatments, medications and diagnostic testing in accordance with identified medical mental health needs and current practice standards initially and ongoing under the supervision of the Psychiatrist.
• Complete documentation as required by facility and medical standards.
• Routinely perform Sick Call inmate exams/oversight of mental health clinician assessments as identified.
• Provide inmate teaching regarding their mental health conditions, diagnosis, management of such and prevention of complications and healthy life strategies.
• Communicate with the nurses, medical physician, Director of Health Services, mental health clinicians, Psychiatrist and Shift Supervisors to ensure conditions are treated and considered in facility processes.
• Order schedule for inmate appointments with mental health provider and consulting other providers.
• Assist with mental health emergency medical care following assessments within the scope of services provided to inmates.
• Provide assessments as well as facilitate transfers of mental health facilities including but not limited to MCI Bridgewater in collaboration with the Psychiatrist and Medical Physician.
• Provide consultation for psychiatric assessments for inmates eligible for placement in community-based programs.
• Provide assessments and evaluations for drug dependency, sexual dangerousness and competency to stand trial, and criminal insanity.
• Maintain the confidentiality and accuracy of all inmate residents’ medical records, including but not limited to daily sick call, refusal of treatment, medication dispensed, physical examination, etc.
• Assists in the development of and modification of plans of nursing care for all inmates.
• Implements and evaluates the medical mental health interventions ordered.
• Review and sign all verbal and telephone orders written by nursing staff.
• Review consultant physician/emergency room reports and order any needed treatments, medication or appointments as recommended by the consulting physician.
• Review all pertinent laboratory tests results, diagnostic test results.
• Assist the Administration with cost effective ways to provide quality mental health care to the population at Barnstable County Correctional Facility.
• Coordinate care for inmates that are hospitalized for their return.
• Determine placement of acutely suicidal or psychotic inmates in forensic mental health restrictive rooms and make the determination as to when they are removed from this restrictive area under the supervision of the Psychiatrist.
• Participate on pertinent organizational committees including but not limited to Continuous Quality Improvement.
• Oversees adherence to use of the formulary or lowest cost available medications.
• Participates in and assists in preparation for Dept of Corrections, American Correctional Association and any other auditing or credentialing procedures.
• Report care issues to Administration in a timely fashion.

QUALIFICATIONS

Nurse Practitioner

Must be licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing.

Current Mass. Controlled Registration

Current DEA Controlled Substance Registration.

Must have a minimum of two years of experience.

Correction experience preferred.

CPR certification required.

Experience with substance abuse/detox preferred.

General office skills.

Physician Assistant

Must be licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Medicine.

Current Mass. Controlled Registration

Current DEA Controlled Substance Registration.

Must have a minimum of two years of experience.

Correction experience preferred.

CPR certification required.

Experience with substance abuse/detox preferred.

General office skills.