Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) is seeking a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) to provide onsite psychiatry services for the juvenile population. The primary responsibility of the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is to provide care that is consistent with ADJC policies and procedures and National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC) Standards.
The provision of psychiatric services at Adobe Mountain School encompasses a wide range of clinical, administrative, and collaborative responsibilities aimed at addressing the mental health needs of incarcerated youth. The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will work under the direction of the Medical Director, and in close collaboration with the Clinical Services team. This position will work with a multidisciplinary team in the coordination of care and treatment for the juvenile population.
Responsibilities include:
-Conducting comprehensive face-to-face psychiatric assessments
-Diagnosing psychiatric conditions and documenting diagnostic codes in the patient’s health record
-Documenting clinical encounters in a timely and thorough manner in the patient’s health record
-Managing psychotropic medications and monitoring progress toward treatment goals
-Renewing and adjusting medications in a timely manner
-Monitoring of patients through clinically indicated diagnostic testing, consistent with national guidelines
-Engaging in solution-focused psychotherapeutic interventions
-Providing input at multidisciplinary team meetings in the development and implementation of treatment plans
-Evaluating patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis
-Engaging in release planning for patients who are returning to the community
-Attending meetings, committees, and staffings as needed
-Performing other duties as assigned
Knowledge of:
- Standards and practices in psychiatry including the diagnosis of psychiatric conditions and evidence-based treatments.
-Principles and practices of correctional health care management and supervision as set forth by the the National Commission Correctional Health Care
-Personnel and administrative procedures, Federal laws and State laws relative to licensed and/or certified health care staff, as well as general staff
-Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to the administration of inmate medical, mental health, and dental care
-Care delivery, communication, and documentation in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
-Obtaining informed consent for psychiatric services and medication management
-Computer skill in Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and the Department’s standardized databases
Skill in:
-Verbal and written communication
-Organization and time management
-Counseling and interviewing
-Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships as applied to internal and external officials, managers, and representatives
-Documentation of patient encounters in the facility’s electronic health record (EHR) system, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and medication management details
-Establishing and updating problem lists and diagnostic codes accurately in the EHR during each patient encounter
Ability to:
-Make sound decisions, taking into consideration all available information
-Complete all chart documentation in a timely manner, on the same day as the patient encounters, unless there are extenuating circumstances
-Study and analyze policies, procedures, and reports and recommend effective/efficient means of implementing goals and objectives
-Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external entities
-Multi-task and meet deadlines
-Work in a secure care facility
-Three (3) years of correctional healthcare experience, including the care of patients with psychiatric disorders.
-Five (5) years of clinical experience in a healthcare field.
REQUIRED: Must be licensed by the Arizona Board of Nursing. Continued employment is contingent upon an affirmative evaluation of credentials.
Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license records checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked or suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.010).
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify)
Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a comprehensive background investigation, behavioral assessment, drug screening and pre-placement physical examination.
Current State of Arizona employees: In order to be considered for this position, it requires acceptable performance history as demonstrated by not have been issued a letter of suspension or have been involuntarily demoted within one year preceding this job posting close date, and have an overall rating of “meets expectations” or higher on the most recent employee performance evaluation.
The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred Compensation Program
Wellness Plans
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
- New membership begins the 27th week of employment
- Immediately vested in retirement contributions
- Defined Benefit
Attention current State of Arizona employees: Please contact our Human Resources Office at employment@azdjc.gov if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602)364-1023. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.