Advanced Practice Nurse (Psychiatric)

Summary

At the Indian Health Service, Nurse Practitioners do more than practice medicine-they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most. Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose - AND receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus, if eligible. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Nurse Practitioner Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations. Not all locations may have immediate vacancies. Conducts comprehensive psychiatric evaluations across the lifespan by obtaining and synthesizing biopsychosocial histories, mental status and physical findings, and diagnostic information; applies the current DSM to diagnose acute, chronic, and complex psychiatric and substance use disorders. Prescribes and manages psychotropic medications and other psychiatric treatments; orders and interprets clinically indicated laboratory and diagnostic studies; monitors therapeutic response, adverse effects, and medication safety, and modifies treatment based on findings. Assesses and manages psychiatric emergencies and high-risk presentations, including suicidal or self-harm risk, behavioral instability, and substance-related crises; determines appropriate level of care and coordinates admission, discharge, transfer, or referral to higher-acuity psychiatric services. Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized, evidence-based and culturally responsive psychiatric treatment plans for patients with psychiatric disorders and co-occurring medical or psychosocial conditions, including psychotherapy when within scope of practice and certification. Provides psychiatric consultation and subject-matter expertise to physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary teams regarding complex psychiatric cases, psychopharmacology, clinical protocols, and continuity and coordination of behavioral health care. Maintains accurate and compliant psychiatric documentation and participates in behavioral health program evaluation, quality and performance improvement, patient and family education, and adherence to applicable accreditation, regulatory, and clinical practice standards.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. Degree and License Waiting Period for Impending Graduates: The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration with 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified. Applicants who have not completed their education requirements (but who are within the established timeframe for qualifying) must submit: Documentation from the educational institution's registrar, dean or other appropriate official that attests to the applicable timeframe for completion of the professional program/coursework AND A copy of the most recent unofficial transcript. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Education: A graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools. Advanced Practice Nurse Positions: For Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) positions, applicants must possess a graduate or higher-level degree in nursing from an accredited educational program in the area of expertise or specialty indicated by the position includes: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Licensure: For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. Additional License Requirements for Advanced Practice Nurse Positions: Applicants for Advanced Practice Nurse positions must be licensed or registered by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States in the clinical specialty required by the position. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Basic Requirements for the GS-9 (or equivalent) Grade Level Applicants who meet the above APN education and licensure requirements qualify for the GS-9. Applicants currently enrolled in a professional nursing program and expect to obtain APN licensure within 9 months. Basic Requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) Grade Level In addition to the above APN requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field. At least one full year of professional advanced practice nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) Basic Requirements for the GS-12 (or equivalent) Grade Level In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under Basic Requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional advanced practice nursing experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Specialize Experience GS-11: Experience performing psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, including prescribing and managing psychotropic medications, developing and modifying treatment plans, evaluating treatment response, and exercising independent professional judgment within established clinical guidelines and scope of practice. Experience includes adapting treatment approaches to individual patient needs and consulting or referring highly complex, high-risk, or acute psychiatric situations when clinically indicated. Specialize Experience GS-12: The practitioner independently evaluates, diagnoses, and treats acute, chronic, complex, and high-risk psychiatric and substance use disorders; makes independ