Psychiatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)- Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center

Join UTHealth Houston as a Psychiatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center. In this role, you will deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care within a dynamic behavioral health environment, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to assess, diagnose, and manage the medical and psychiatric needs of patients. You will work to support high-quality outcomes and an exceptional patient experience while integrating medical and psychiatric care.

Clinical Setting

You will work in an acute care behavioral health environment, providing advanced nursing care to patients with complex acute, critical, and chronic health conditions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex, standardized patient care procedures requiring specialized training
• Perform independent and physician-supervised rounding on the unit
• Conduct patient evaluations and assessments, and provide appropriate treatment including monitoring and ordering medications
• Coordinate, direct, and implement the patient's plan of care
• Assist in collecting patient histories, screen for comorbidities, and provide guidance and preventative health care
• Perform physical examinations and provide episodic or problem-oriented care under physician supervision
• Order appropriate laboratory, diagnostic, and radiographic tests, and interpret results
• Monitor the patient's treatment program and inform the attending physician of pertinent medical information
• Facilitate patient education relating to medical processes, medication, nutrition, and health promotion or preventative health care
• Assist physicians in formulating therapeutic decisions
• Maintain appropriate records and prepare charts for review and counter signature by physician
• Prepare and care for supplies and equipment
• Respond to emergency situations
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) State Licensure or Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) by Texas Board of Nursing (BON)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP) by Texas Board of Nursing (BON)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) by American Heart Association (AHA)
• Clinical specialty certification determined by the department, excluding FNP certification unless paired with a post-master's certification in the specialty
• Master's Degree in Nursing as NP or Master's in Nursing with completion of a post-master's Nurse Practitioner Certification Program

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in area of clinical focus

Schedule

This position offers a predictable matrix schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. shifts, working 2 days on, 2 days off, followed by 3 days on, with the cycle continuing throughout the year.

Orientation

• Two-week mandatory onboarding process for all new hires
• Hospital-wide education orientation Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the first two weeks

Benefits

• 100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees
• Generous time off including holidays, preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time (approximately 37-38 days per year)
• Vacation accrual increases with tenure
• Longevity pay (monthly payments after two years of service)
• Retirement and pension plan
• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones
• Resources for child and elder care

Physical Requirements

• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects

Additional Requirements

• Permanent residency and work authorization in the State of Texas
• This is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094