Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Position Overview
The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) serves as the psychiatric provider within Phoenix Behavioral Health’s multidisciplinary treatment team. The APN is responsible for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, clinical stabilization, and ongoing monitoring of clients participating in Partial Care and Outpatient Behavioral Health programs.
The APN functions as both a prescribing provider and a clinical support to therapists and case managers. The role assists in stabilizing clients, preventing hospitalization, and ensuring clients can safely participate in structured behavioral health programming.
This position requires active national board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Candidates who are not board certified are not eligible for this role.
Primary Responsibilities
Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management
Complete initial psychiatric evaluations and reassessments
Provide ongoing medication management and follow-up appointments
Diagnose mental health disorders using DSM-5 criteria
Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications
Adjust medications based on symptom presentation and treatment response
Educate clients on medications, side effects, and adherence
Order and review lab work when clinically indicated
Utilize the NJ Prescription Monitoring Program (PDMP) as required
Program Support & Treatment Team Collaboration
Participate in weekly treatment team meetings
Provide clinical input regarding client progress and barriers to treatment
Assist therapists with managing symptomatic or disruptive clients
Support staff with behavioral escalations or psychiatric concerns
Help determine appropriate level of care (Partial Care, IOP, Outpatient, or hospitalization)
Provide same-day consults for decompensating clients when needed
Coordinate care with hospitals, detox facilities, PCPs, and outside providers
Intakes & Clinical Stabilization
Complete psychiatric intakes as scheduled
Prioritize post-hospitalization and crisis discharges
Assess suicide and homicide risk
Conduct crisis evaluations within the program
Support diversion from hospitalization when clinically appropriate
Documentation & Regulatory Compliance
Complete evaluations and medication follow-ups within required timeframes
Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the EHR
Document medication education and informed consent
Review and sign treatment plans as required
Comply with:
New Jersey Board of Nursing regulations
Controlled substance prescribing regulations
Joint Commission standards
Phoenix Behavioral Health policies
HIPAA confidentiality requirements
Clinical Oversight & Staff Support
Provide consultation to therapists and case managers
Educate staff regarding psychiatric symptoms and medications
Assist with behavioral plans and participation barriers
Support return-to-program decisions after hospitalization
Quality & Safety
Monitor medication interactions, misuse, and diversion
Report adverse reactions
Participate in quality improvement and chart audits
Assist with incident and risk review when psychiatric factors are involved
Minimum Qualifications (Required — No Exceptions)
Licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in the State of New Jersey
Active national board certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
Master’s or Doctorate degree in Nursing from an accredited program
Active CDS registration
Active DEA registration
Ability to obtain credentialing with insurance panels
Credentialing Requirement
Board certification must remain active and in good standing at all times during employment. Loss, lapse, or expiration of national certification will result in immediate removal from the clinical schedule and may result in termination of employment due to inability to legally perform the essential functions of the position.
Preferred Experience
Community mental health
Partial Care / IOP programs
Co-occurring disorders
Crisis stabilization
Multidisciplinary outpatient settings
Key Competencies
Crisis and risk assessment
Strong psychopharmacology knowledge
Team-based treatment collaboration
Time management in high-volume outpatient care
Ability to stabilize clients in a community setting
Performance Expectations
The APN is expected to:
Maintain an active medication management caseload
Complete documentation within agency timelines
Be available for same-day clinical consults
Support therapists in maintaining group participation
Function as an integrated member of the treatment team

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No