Some travel is required to attend trainings & meetings and there is frequent collaboration with attending MD, Social Workers, Nurses and Mental Health Workers. This role is an important component of the care provided to patients who are in the various stages of recovery from mental health issues. This is a wonderful opportunity to use all the skills and knowledge generally gained by completing an advanced practice degree program in mental health nursing.

Please Note: This position is 20 hours per week. Hours and days to be determined.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assists in planning treatment by participating in treatment plan development and reviews as well as clinical case conferences.
• Provides individual treatment interventions in accordance with treatment plan.
• Evaluates patients, including diagnostic evaluation and assists in planning treatment and individual interventions.
• In collaboration with medical provider, oversees medical care, diagnosis and management of Pocasset MHC patients. Provides individual medication teaching and obtaining appropriate consents.
• Communicates and collaborates with departmental staff to engage in positive working relationships.
• Orders medications and treatments and evaluates effectiveness and documenting same.
• Monitors patient's legal status; provides guidance regarding timelines, guardianship issues, requirements to facility staff.
• Maintains current knowledge of psychiatric mental health nursing practice through attendance at seminars, conferences, workshops, in-services and continuing education programs as well as facility mandatory training.
• Assures that a comprehensive medical history and physical is obtained on all patients admitted.
• Documents care rendered in progress notes for each encounter in a timely manner.
• Develops long and short-term treatment plan and/or health maintenance programs for assigned patients by completing physical examinations, assessments and/or diagnoses of patients' physical conditions to ensure provision of appropriate medical care.
• Connects with outside health care providers (PCP, specialists) throughout stay and at time of discharge to ensure continuity of care. Documents all contacts with outside providers.
• Documents all medical activities accurately, including but not limited to, all admission and discharge record keeping, progress notes and informed consent documentation.
• Responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of methods used in evaluating clinical treatment strategies.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary staff and with all facets of the community's mental health system.
• Capacity to perform psychiatric assessments and diagnoses according to DSM IV standards.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and analyze difficult situations and take correct action to prevent problems from occurring.
• Talent for interacting with people who are under physical and emotional stress.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" (APRN) with at least three years of full time or equivalent part time experience as an "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse".
• Board certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
• A current valid DEA certificate.
• No restrictions to licensure.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population with cultural competence and sensitivity, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency, especially in Portuguese, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, and Haitian Creole

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

About the Cape Cod and the Islands Community Mental Health Center:

The CC&I CMHC provides comprehensive services to adults and children. Programs include a 16-bed acute in-patient unit, Case Management, Day Treatment Program, and Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS). The CC&I CMHC is a Joint Commission certified facility. In all we always aspire to create an environment which promotes growth and independence for patients, families, and employee alike.

Learn more about our important work:https://www.mass.gov/locations/pocasset-mental-health-center

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic, or medical facility, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements:

Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Current and valid authorization to practice as a Nurse Practitioner by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.