Description

                                                                          PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER (AUTONOMOUS)

TO APPLY: Submit resume to HR@ecsva.org and indicate you are applying for our Nurse Practitioner position. 

Encompass Community Supports (ECS), formerly known as Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services (RRCS) is hiring a Nurse Practitioner to work in our Behavioral Health Division. Encompass Community Supports is a Virginia State community services organization that improves the quality of life in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock Counties by providing comprehensive mental health, substance use, developmental disability, housing, children’s, and aging services. As an organization of almost 400 employees and more than 80 programs, we lead with integrity and excellence and embrace fairness in opportunity, , collaboration, accountability, and innovation to respond to the ever-changing needs of our community.

Our non-profit organization qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, allowing eligible employees to potentially receive student loan forgiveness.  ECS is also a registered site for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment plan.

DESCRIPTION:    
Provide evidence-based, client-centered psychiatric and substance use treatment for adults and youth. Duties include assessments, medication management, MAT services, consultations, monitoring, referrals, and accurate documentation in the EHR. Work is collaborative and follows all agency protocols and guidelines. Clinical practice oversight is provided through the Medical Services Supervisor and independent practice review as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  - Apply clinic workflows, guidelines, and procedures to medication management services.
  - Support the Medical Services Supervisor with program development and clinical initiatives.
  - Review intake records; prepare for weekly appointments; order labs; complete assessments; provide education, counseling, referrals, and clear communication to medical staff.
  - Prescribe and manage medications; monitor side effects, adverse events, labs, AIMS/COWS, and MAT requirements.
  - Provide compassionate, non-judgmental client care by assessing needs, prescribing medications, and delivering supportive behavioral health and substance treatment services with professionalism and empathy.
  - Respond to nursing concerns within 24 hours on non-workdays.
  - Navigate and document accurately in the EHR; ensure all daily documentation is completed by the end of shift and corrections are made within 48 hours.
  - Consider insurance status when prescribing; assist with patient assistance programs; meet with pharmaceutical reps to secure samples; complete required forms and prior authorizations.
  - Collaborate with therapy, nursing, pharmacy, and community partners to support care plans; participate in case reviews and staff meetings.
  - Assist in establishing clinic protocols and standing orders; participate in performance improvement and provide solution-focused feedback.
  - Maintain all credentialing, licensure, and certification requirements.
  - Implement evidence-based MAT best practices, including thorough clinical assessment, use of FDA-approved medications, regular monitoring for           therapeutic response and safety, coordination with counseling services, harm-reduction–oriented patient education, and adherence to all federal      and state regulatory standards

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- All knowledge, skills, and abilities are performed in a manner aligned with recovery-oriented, person-centered, non-coercive, trauma-informed, and relationship-focused principles. This includes a strong current body of mental health and substance use disorder knowledge; competency in the recovery process, including promoting services, supports, and strategies; crisis-intervention techniques; ethics and professional boundaries; and the impact of trauma on recovery. 

- Additional expertise includes board-certified proficiency in psychotropic medications, DSM-based diagnosis, and general medical and psychiatric principles. 

- The role requires strong therapeutic communication, cultural competency, and the ability to maintain composure under stress while building effective therapeutic rapport. It also reflects a commitment to client dignity, rights, and autonomy, and a demonstrated ability and desire to work with chronic behavioral health, ID/DD, substance use, and dual-diagnosis populations. 

- Knowledge of community resources is essential, along with the ability to counsel individuals on sensitive matters and communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. 

- The position also requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel, clients, families, and professionals. Technical proficiency includes understanding the operation and care of computer equipment and mobile devices, as well as working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Teams) and other video-conferencing software.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

- Active RN and Autonomous NP license in Virginia (VDHP) Board-certified Independent Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
MAT certification.

- Maintain agency-required certifications and trainings, including Adult/Child BLS CPR & AED.

Preferred

- Minimum 5 years behavioral health and Substance recovery experience; multi-age experience preferred