CLASS TITLE:                                CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIC NURSE SPECIALIST (URI)

                                                                                                                                     

CLASS DEFINITION

 

General Statement of Duties: 

 

Under the general direction of the Medical director and working in close collaboration with the Counseling Center and psychiatric consultant, to be responsible for the evaluation and treatment (including medication management and ordering of appropriate diagnostic procedures) of a wide range of patients presenting to the clinic; to participate in preventive mental health programs as a consultant and leader of workshops; and to do related work as required.

Supervision Received: 

 

Works under the direction of the Medical Director, Health Services, with wide latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment; work is reviewed through periodic conferences for adherence to accepted clinical practices and techniques, and professional clinical psychiatric nursing standards and procedures.

Supervision Exercised: 

 

As required, supervises professional, technical and other support staff.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

 

 Under the general direction of the Medical director and working in close collaboration with the Counseling Center and psychiatric consultant, to be responsible for the evaluation and treatment (including medication management and ordering of appropriate diagnostic procedures) of a wide range of patients presenting to the clinic; to participate in preventive mental health programs as a consultant and leader of workshops.

 

  To provide consultation and emergency interventions with acute patient situations presenting at Health Services.

 

  To provide thorough psychiatric evaluations including requesting appropriate laboratory and secondary consultations whenever indicated.

 

  Under the clinical supervision of the Medical Director, and in accordance with agreed upon and documented clinical guidelines,

to provide medication assessment, prescriptions, and follow-up visits as authorized by the expanded role with RI Department of Health registration and authorization to prescribe controlled substances.

 

  To maintain appropriate and confidential records of patients’ evaluations, treatment and disposition.

 

  To maintain a collaborative and consultative relationship with University clinical providers, counselors/psychologists.

 

  To promote and support optimal functioning across the life span.

 

  To collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of health care professionals.

 

  To provide community consultations, workshop and classroom presentations.

 

  To participate in quality improvement activities related to psychosocial and mental health issues.

 

  To do related work as required.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

 

Knowledges, Skills, and Capacities: 

 

A thorough knowledge of adult counseling and crisis intervention, including the prescribing and monitoring of psychopharmacology; ability to utilize the medical equipment appropriate to licensure; the ability to use personal computers, printers, work processing and medical information systems; the ability to exercise considerable independent judgment.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

 

Education:  Such as may have been gained through: possession of a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a certification as a clinical specialist in psychiatric mental health nursing, authorized to practice in the expanded role in the State of Rhode Island; and

Experience:  Such as may have been gained through: one to two years of experience practicing in the expanded role as a prescribing psychiatric clinical nurse specialist.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:  At the time of appointment, must possess a Registered Nurse’s License in the State of Rhode Island and be authorized to practice in the expanded role as a clinical specialist in psychiatric mental health nursing; must also possess current registration numbers with the Rhode Island Department of Health and with the Drug Enforcement Administration for prescribing medications.