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 WKU Health Services

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This position will provide mental health care, education, and counseling to WKU Health Services patients following established protocols from the Medical Director and collaborating Psychiatrist. These services include, but are not limited to, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic mental illnesses, health education, patient advocacy, referral, and collaboration with other health care professionals. Sensitivity to mental health issues and a willingness to discuss them with patients is necessary. This position reports to the Medical Director.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted, and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs.

Delivers mental health care according to standards of care and additional certifications through collaborative practice agreements with WKU Health Services Physicians and a contracted local Psychiatrist under the supervision of the Medical Director

• Diagnoses and treats patients with behavioral health needs consistent with the health services, policies, philosophies, and the advanced nursing practice parameters of the state of Kentucky
• Performs a full initial psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis based on DSM-IV TR criteria and provides follow up management as needed (including psychotropic medication management and psychotherapy)
• Assists the Medical Director and the Executive Director with state regulations, practice patterns, and relevant updates in the field of Advanced Registered Nursing, primarily psychiatric nursing
• Assists with internal operation in cooperation with other clinicians for Quality Assurance purposes

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate of a MSN program, with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner emphasis, from an accredited school of nursing
• An active, current appropriate state RN license and APRN certification
• Licenses/certifications must be in good standing. Advanced practice certificate/license must be unencumbered in the state of Kentucky
• At least one year of clinical practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Current and unrestricted Federal DEA registration
• Knowledge of Advanced Nursing practice, including all laws and principles of same
• Proficiency in diagnosing and treating patients with behavioral health needs consistent with the health services, policies, philosophies, and the advanced nursing practice parameters of the state of Kentucky.
• Proficiency in performing full initial psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis based on DSM-IV TR criteria and provide follow up management as needed (including psychotropic medication management and psychotherapy)
• Ability to screen high risk individuals for safety and referral for hospitalization as clinically indicated
• Ability to prescribe/dispense prescription psychotropics (including samples when available)
• Willingness to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide holistic patient care
• Medical Provider CPR Certification
• Familiarity with electronic medical records.
• Computer and word processing skills (Microsoft Office)
• Must have fervent work ethics and commitment to excellence

Physical and Mental Abilities Required:

This position may require long periods of sitting, standing, computer use, or long periods on your feet if working in the clinical area. This position requires continuous follow up, communication, and attention to detail. The person must be self-directed, motivated, and a critical thinker must have a willingness to learn. The ability to multitask and stay focused is essential. This position may require providing patient assistance and therefore employee must be able to lift and support patient weight as needed. This position requires the physical mobility to reach, bend, stoop, and the ability to lift supplies weighing approximately 10 - 25 lbs. Employee must be physically able to support or assist in moving a patient weighing 150 – 250 lbs or more. The ability to establish and meet deadlines is essential. The people in this position must be able to handle the emotional stress of a job which deals with long hours and working with patient who themselves may be having personal issues. The successful candidate must have mental and physical stamina and flexibility to meet the demands of a busy group practice.

Applications for employment will be accepted electronically only. Interested candidates must submit a letter of application, current resume, and names, addresses and daytime phone numbers of three professional references using the online application process. Please refer to the following website to apply: http://asaweb.wku.edu/wkujobs. For further assistance call (270) 745-5934. Please reference requisition number S3441. For full consideration, submit application materials on or before October 19, 2012. Position will remain open until filled.

Western Kentucky University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or marital status in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices in accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.