Nurse Practitioner - Correctional Psychiatry
Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego, CA

Compensation:  $160,000 - $174,000/yr

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, holidays, 401(K), life insurance, five days, $500 bonus allowance and bonus opportunity

At CoreCivic, we do more than manage inmates, we care for people. CoreCivic is currently seeking Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner  who have a passion for providing the highest quality care in an institutional setting.

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is responsible for providing comprehensive psychiatric services to incarcerated individuals within a correctional facility and with a collaborating physician. This includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services within a medical home model.

The successful applicant should be able to perform all of the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements:

Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis:

•     Conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations and assessments of incarcerated individuals to determine the presence and severity of mental health disorders.
•      Diagnose and classify mental illnesses according to established diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5).
•     Assess and evaluate suicide risk, self-harm, and dangerous behaviors among incarcerated individuals.
•      Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and correctional staff to gather relevant information for accurate diagnoses.

Treatment Planning and Implementation:

•     Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for incarcerated individuals with psychiatric disorders.
•     Prescribe appropriate psychiatric medications and monitor their effectiveness and side effects.
•      Provide brief psychotherapy and counseling services to incarcerated individuals, using evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
•     Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and ensure a holistic approach to treatment.
•     Modify treatment plans as needed based on patients' progress and response to interventions.

Crisis Intervention and Emergency Services:

•    Respond to psychiatric emergencies within the correctional facility promptly and efficiently.
•     Conduct crisis assessments, provide stabilization, and implement appropriate intervention strategies.
•     Collaborate with correctional staff and healthcare team members to implement emergency response protocols.
•    Determine the need for a higher level of psychiatric treatment when necessary.

Collaboration and Consultation:

•      Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including primary care physicians, psychologists, social workers, and nurses, to provide integrated care to incarcerated individuals.
•     Consult with the interdisciplinary team to develop comprehensive treatment plans for incarcerated individuals with complex psychiatric needs.
•     Provide expertise and guidance to correctional staff regarding mental health issues, crisis management, and suicide prevention.
•     Participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.

Documentation and Compliance:

•     Maintain accurate and up-to-date psychiatric records for each incarcerated individual, including assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, and progress notes.
•     Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines pertaining to correctional healthcare and patient confidentiality.
•      Adhere to the correctional facility's policies and procedures related to documentation and record-keeping.

Education and Training:

•     Stay updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric medicine, treatment modalities, and relevant research.
•      Engage in continuous professional development and relevant educational activities.
•    Provide training and education to correctional staff on mental health topics, crisis management, and de-escalation techniques

Qualifications: 

• Board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Current and unrestricted Nurse practitioner license in the state/jurisdiction where the correctional facility is located and DEA.
• Experience in providing psychiatric care or relevant experience in correctional or underserved populations is preferred.
• Strong assessment and diagnostic skills, with the ability to manage a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Proficiency in prescribing medications and therapies under physician supervision

CoreCivic is a Drug-Free Workplace and EOE – including Disability/Veteran