Since our opening in 1987, New Hope Treatment Centers has been a welcoming place for young people in moments of crisis. The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner provides psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, and ongoing mental health treatment for adolescents enrolled in the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Mental Health Services Program, collaborating with a multidisciplinary treatment team to support stabilization, rehabilitation, and improved behavioral health outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and mental health assessments for youth entering or participating in the DJJ Mental Health Program.


• Diagnose psychiatric disorders using DSM criteria and develop appropriate treatment plans.


• Prescribe, monitor, and manage psychotropic medications in accordance with clinical guidelines and regulatory requirements.


• Provide ongoing medication management, follow-up care, and clinical monitoring for program participants.


• Collaborate with therapists, nurses, case managers, and residential staff to coordinate integrated treatment services.


• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and provide clinical recommendations regarding psychiatric care.


• Evaluate and respond to psychiatric crises, including risk for self-harm, aggression, or acute mental health symptoms.


• Educate youth, families, and staff regarding diagnoses, medications, treatment goals, and side effects.


• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record system.


• Ensure compliance with all applicable state regulations, licensing requirements, and organizational policies. 


• Coordinate care with primary care providers and specialty services to address co-occurring medical conditions.


• Provide staff training and consultation on psychiatric conditions, trauma, crisis intervention, and psychopharmacology.

Competencies

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

• Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis- conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments and develop accurate diagnoses to guide treatment planning.


• Medication Management-prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications while evaluating effectiveness, side effects, and treatment adherence.


• Crisis Intervention-assess and manage psychiatric crises including suicidal ideation, aggressive behaviors, and acute mental health symptoms.


• Clinical Collaboration-work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team to support coordinated care for youth.


• Adolescent Behavioral Health Expertise- demonstrate knowledge of psychiatric conditions affecting adolescents, including trauma-related and behavioral disorders.


• Communication and Education-clearly communicate diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication information to youth, families, and staff.


• Ethical and Regulatory Compliance-adhere to professional standards, confidentiality requirements, and all applicable healthcare regulations.


• Documentation and Organization-maintain accurate clinical records and ensure timely documentation of services provided.