Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (HHS)

Company: Walworth County
Location: Elkhorn
Posted on: April 3, 2025

Job Description:

An Equal Opportunity Employer

A high number of candidates may make applications for this position, so make sure to send your CV and application through as soon as possible.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for providing assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse disorders for a complex population with persistent conditions across the lifespan. Treatment responsibilities include the prescriptive practice of psychotropic medications. The responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse practitioner also include crisis intervention, oversight of clinical case management, and referrals for psychological testing and triage, individual, group and/or family psychotherapy. A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in a community mental health clinic is able to deliver targeted psychiatric care while screening, identifying, and monitoring co-morbid medical problems.

SUPERVISION
This position will be responsible for supervision of the nursing clerical staff members in conjunction with the Behavioral Health Case Management Supervisor.

SCHEDULE
Division: Behavioral Health
Days: varies
Work Hours: varies
Hours Per Pay Shift: varies
Shifts Per Pay Period: varies
Position FTE: 1.00

Applications are being accepted from current County employees as well as members of the public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Under the direction of and in collaboration with a physician, to provide mental health diagnoses, care, and treatment of patients in a comprehensive mental health treatment program and to perform other duties as required.

Provide mental health assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans and medication management, and evaluate progress for general and mandated participants.

Secure comprehensive health histories, perform or request special diagnostic and laboratory tests, interpret test results, perform appropriate physical assessments and develop comprehensive mental health treatment plans.

Prescribe medications, report adverse events if indicated and refer appropriately for consultation or specialty medical services.

Provide direct and/or indirect patient care oriented towards improving or maintaining health and preventing illness.

Responsible for the continuing mental health care of assigned consumers and for making appropriate dispositions or referrals and acting as liaison to other community resources, including the State of Wisconsin Mental Health Hospitals.

Consult with other staff members regarding their treatment of individual consumers.

Communicate with clinicians regarding patient status and progress to provide education, guidance, case management, and follow-up, in order to assure continuity of care.
Responsible for the continuing mental health care of assigned consumers and for making appropriate dispositions or referrals and acting as liaison to other community resources.

Participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary evaluation team.

Prepare and maintain all appropriate mental health records, charts, and reports.

Participate in quality assurance activities.

Perform emergency duties as assigned in the event of county emergency declaration or when the weather or other conditions require it.

Ensure accurate and timely documentation in a manner that meets all federal, state, agency, department and individual program rules and requirements.

Complete and submit in a timely manner all documents needed for consumers to be able to obtain their prescribed medications. This includes, but is not limited to Prior Authorizations and Preferred Drug List medications.

Coordinate with Lakeland Health Care Center and Walworth County Jail nursing staff for consumers that receive medication services through Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services or are in need of emergency mental health services.

Ensure that all of the policies and procedures for the department and mental health nursing program are followed.

Maintain working knowledge of the legal aspects of nursing (including HIPAA) with respect to relevant programs and how the laws relate to the patient.

Participate in trainings and in-services in order to increase clinical skills and maintain standards for required certifications.

Participate in clinical collaboration, team meetings, and face-to-face supervision.

Provide respectful, high quality customer service during all interactions.

Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience
Master of Science degree in Nursing required. Graduation from a recognized college or university with a Master of Science in Nursing.

Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Wisconsin.

Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner or possession of a State waiver of equivalency.

Current license as an Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber by the State of Wisconsin.

Minimum of one year experience in and knowledge of the neuropsychopharmocology of antipsychotic medication preferred. Minimum of one year experience in the treatment of consumers with severe and persistent mental illness and AODA diagnosis.

Comprehensive knowledge of nursing principles and clinical therapeutic models including the modern principles, practices, and techniques used in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for psychiatric populations.

Comprehensive knowledge of psychotropic medications and nursing protocols relevant to community psychiatric nursing.

Proven experience in ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals as well as ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

Comprehensive knowledge of clinical principles and therapeutic models including modern principles, practices, and techniques used in assessing, planning, implementing, and treating and evaluating for psychiatric populations through the lifespan.

Considerable knowledge of the role of mental health programs, services, and activities and the objectives of a mental health agency providing these services.

Able to administer injectable medication.

Working knowledge of the legal aspects of nursing with respect to relevant programs and how the laws relate to the patient.

Ability to apply relevant theoretical principles of Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice.

Ability to apply sound clinical skills in assessing, diagnosing, prescribing, implementing, and evaluating a plan of treatment for persons with mental illness.

Ability to assess progress and encourage positive change, taking into account cultural and clinical considerations, and the client's own wishes and definitions.

Ability to respond in a crisis situation and to provide skilled treatment to clients with severe problems.

Ability to work effectively with individuals and families to assist them in solving physical, mental, and social problems, with members of the health team and other allied professionals.

Ability to apply sound clinical skills in assessing, diagnosing, prescribing, implementing, and evaluating a plan of treatment for persons with mental illness.

Ability to assess progress and encourage positive change, taking into account cultural and clinical considerations, and the consumer's own wishes and definitions.

Ability to provide detailed records and reports.

Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team including accepting supervision both from the Medical Director and a Health and Human Services manager.

Oversight of the clinic nursing staff members including the oversight of the clinic budget.

Working knowledge and clear understanding of the Wisconsin state statutes including Chapters 51, 54, and 55 and how they impact consumers' rights.

Able to articulate rationale around decisions related to the civil commitment process, including the ability to testify in court (Chapter 51 hearing).

Experience in treating and prescribing psychotropic medications to children and youth is preferred.

Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care Principles is essential.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Current License as an Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber through WI Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Wisconsin Registered Nurse through WI Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license for controlled substances.
Valid Wisconsin driver license.
Proof of minimum liability auto insurance coverage.

Interactions & Communication
Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise. This includes, but is not limited to agency staff, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, community agencies, schools and the general public. Must be able to work effectively in a shared work environment.

Decision Making
This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or the work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process. Must have strong clinical and assessment skills.

Thinking & Problem Solving
In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice.

Tools and Equipment Used
Telephone Copy Machine
Personal Computer/Printer FAX Machine
Calculator

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Off-site work at the Walworth County Sheriff's Department correctional unit may be required.

Selection Process

TO INCLUDE:
Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
Education & Experience Review
Verification of State Licensure
Verification of Driver License
Oral Department Interview
Reference Check
Background Check
Post Offer Psychological Evaluation
Post Offer Physical Examination
Drug Screen

Other job related tests may be required.
WALWORTH COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARYI - Salaried Exempt Employees BARGAINING UNIT: Salaried Exempt EmployeesDATE: January 1, 2019 EMPLOYMENT STATUS: All employees of Walworth County are at-will employees. BASIS OF PAYMENT: Salaried, FLSA Exempt. You are not eligible for overtime or compensatory time. You are required to account for all time absent from your regular work schedule. SCHEDULED TIME OFF: Accrued based on salary each pay period. All accrued scheduled time off hours are available for use, subject to approval of your supervisor. You accrue scheduled time off (pro-rated for part-time) equivalent to the following: 15 days per year after 1 year of Walworth County Service 20 days per year after 5 years of Walworth County Service 25 days per year after 15 years of Walworth County Service*may be considered for additional Scheduled Time Off (STO) based on continuous related experience per Ord. Sec. 15-515 (e) PERSONAL TIME OFF: Employees will receive 64 hours of personal time off as a lump sum at the beginning of each year (pro-rated for part-time and newly-hired employees). At the end of each calendar year, an employee may request to move remaining personal time off hours to the extended sick leave bank. If no request is made, any remaining hours shall be paid out on the employee's last pay date of the calendar year. EXTENDED SICK LEAVE BANK: Used for time off of work for more serious health conditions that require three or more consecutive days off or when on an approved leave of absence. HOLIDAYS: Ten paid holidays each year. As a part-time employee, you receive pro-rated holiday pay based on your positions budgeted FTE. INSURANCE: Employees hired into a .75 FTE or higher position are eligible for Health, Dental, Life, Vision Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of service provided you complete enrollment forms within 30 days of hire. Employees hired into a .50 FTE or higher position are eligible for all benefits listed below except Health insurance. Employees hired into a .49 FTE or less position are eligible to participate in Short-Term Disability only.Health Insurance: You can choose Tier 1 or Tier 2. Tier 1 is a standard co-pay plan. Tier 2 is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The County will contribute an amount approved by the County Board, payable as a lump sum to your HSA for Tier 2. You may also elect to contribute to your HSA up to the IRS maximum. You may elect either family or single coverage. The monthly premium will be split between the County and the employee. Dental Insurance: You may elect either family or single coverage. The county shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for a full-time and 50% (single or family) of the premium for a part-time employee enrolled in dental insurance. Life Insurance: The County provides you with term life insurance in an amount equal to $50,000. You have the option of purchasing additional coverage for yourself, spouse, and/or dependent children. Short-Term Disability Insurance: The County provides you with Short-Term Disability Insurance with premiums paid by the employer. LTD Insurance: The County provides you with Long-Term Disability Insurance. The monthly premium is 0.83% of your insured monthly wages. The County shall pay 67% of the premium & the employee shall pay 33% of the premium. Vison Insurance: You may elect to participate in Vision insurance. The employee electing coverage shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for vision insurance. WISCONSIN RETIREMENT: You are covered under the Wisconsin Retirement System if you are expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours per year for a period of one year or more. The WRS provides you with separation, disability or retirement benefits upon termination. The payment is split between the county and employee, as prescribed by state law. Employees expected to work less than 1200 hours per year will not receive this benefit. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: After completing 6 months of employment, you are eligible to participate in the Educational Assistance Program and receive partial reimbursement for tuition upon completion of approved courses. TAX-SHELTERED BENEFITS: You may elect to participate in the following tax-sheltered benefits:Deferred Compensation (S457 plan)Medical Spending Account (S125 plan)Dependent Care Plan (S125 plan)Health Savings Account (S223 plan) WORKERS COMPENSATION: You are covered by Workers Compensation for any illness or injury arising out of your employment. Medical expenses and compensation for lost time are paid from the workers' compensation plan. In addition, the County will supplement the workers' compensation lost-time payment for up to 1 year, making you whole on a "net-check" basis. DIRECT DEPOSIT: You are required to participate in direct deposit of your paycheck to a banking institution of your choice. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: You and your family are encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program for help in addressing confidential family and financial matters. EAP services are provided through Curalinc. Please call 888-881-5462 for help. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: You will receive pay for up to 3 days for the purpose of bereavement over the death of your spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or other member of the immediate household (excluding renters). You will receive up to 1 day of pay for the death of your brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. JURY DUTY: Your regular wages will be made-whole for any time you are required to serve on jury duty. MILITARY LEAVE: Your regular wages will be made-whole for up to two weeks for you to meet your annual two-week reserve duty obligation. Extended military leaves are provided in accordance with state and federal laws. LEAVE OF ABSENCE: You are required to request a leave of absence in writing and a minimum of 15 calendar days prior to your expected absence. All leaves are subject to approval of the Human Resources Department and are at the discretion of the County's representative, except as otherwise required by law. Under emergency situations, the leave papers must be submitted within 5 days after the absence begins. Periods of absence less than 5 days may be approved by your department head. Note: This Summary provides only a brief outline of your benefits. All benefit terms and conditions are subject to the specific provisions of plan documents, policies, and/or legal rules and regulations. These benefits are subject to change from time to time by action of the County Board and/or Human Resources Committee.

Keywords: Walworth County, Janesville , Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (HHS), Accounting, Auditing , Elkhorn, Wisconsin