Psychiatric Nurse Pratitioner

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on peoples lives. Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity. HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

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 patients 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.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agencys obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.



This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.  Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

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 patients mental health status. Evaluates and makes appropriate referrals for patients 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.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Medical Director, including overseeing, planning, assigning, and/or supervising the work of others as well as participating in meetings both internal and external to the hospital; and representing the Medical Director in their absence. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agencys obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.  Knowledge Skills Abilities:
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  Registration or Licensure Requirements:
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 Selection Criteria:
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  Additional Information:
Requisition Number 567689

SALARY NOTE: The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum allowable by state law. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7.

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.  MOS Code:
66P/R/C, 290X, 46YX

Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 66P/R/C, 290X, 46YX. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditors Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.