Nurse Practitioner InternThe Nurse Practitioner Intern will provide supervised, patient-centered behavioral health services in an outpatient mental health clinic. Under the direct supervision of a licensed and credentialed psychiatric clinical preceptor, the intern will apply advanced-practice nursing knowledge to psychiatric assessment, diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, medication management, patient education, and care coordination in accordance with the approved clinical placement agreement, organizational policies, and applicable laws and regulations.
Intern Responsibilities:
Demonstrate full compliance with the Agency's Code of Conduct and all applicable Agency policies and procedures. Maintain the confidentiality and security of all client- and staff-related information, materials, and records. Participate as a supervised member of the psychiatric care team in the outpatient behavioral health clinic and, when included in the approved clinical placement, observe or support services in other VOH programs. Conduct thorough psychiatric assessments under direct preceptor supervision, including medical history, psychiatric history, mental status examination, risk assessment, and preliminary diagnostic formulation. Participate in scheduled individual appointments to assess symptoms, review treatment response, provide medication education, support medication management, reinforce treatment goals, and deliver supportive therapeutic interventions within the intern's approved scope. Gather and synthesize assessment findings to identify problem areas, clarify treatment needs, and recommend appropriate interventions for review and approval by the supervising preceptor. Provide developmentally and culturally responsive psychoeducation to clients and, when appropriate, their families or supports regarding diagnoses, medications, coping strategies, recovery, wellness, and crisis resources. Recommend appropriate diagnostic studies and review, interpret, and analyze results with the supervising preceptor in accordance with the intern's level of training and authorized scope. Contribute relevant psychiatric assessment findings and clinical observations during consultation with behavioral health clinicians and nurses; all diagnostic and treatment recommendations require preceptor review and approval. Attend collaborative treatment team meetings, clinical case conferences, and supervision sessions as assigned. Collaborate with the primary clinician and supervising preceptor to identify appropriate community-based referrals, services, and recommendations based on client needs and clinical findings. Recognize and immediately escalate suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, acute psychosis, severe medication reactions, and other urgent or emergent concerns in accordance with Agency protocols. Document all assigned clinical service activity accurately and within required timeframes in accordance with Agency, regulatory, academic, and funding requirements; documentation is subject to preceptor review and authentication. Participate in approved learning, observation, case presentation, and peer-learning opportunities with nursing students and other trainees, as directed by the supervising preceptor. Perform other internship-related duties and learning activities as assigned by the supervising preceptor or leadership. Perform only those activities authorized by the academic program, clinical affiliation agreement, Agency policy, and supervising preceptor; the intern will not serve as the primary psychiatric provider, independently diagnose or prescribe, or practice without required supervision.
Key Competencies:- Foundational knowledge of psychiatric assessment, psychopathology, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy modalities, and evidence-based behavioral health care
- Developing skills in diagnostic reasoning, mental status examination, suicide and violence risk assessment, and safety planning
- Strong therapeutic, oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to establish professional boundaries and build respectful, trauma-informed relationships with patients and families
- Ability to collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary outpatient mental health setting
- Sound organization, time management, clinical documentation, and follow-up skills
- Commitment to confidentiality, ethical practice, recovery-oriented care, cultural humility, and reduction of mental health stigma
- Professionalism, reliability, accountability, emotional self-awareness, and openness to supervision and feedback
Minimum Qualifications:
Candidates must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing in an accredited graduate-level Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, or another Nurse Practitioner program formally approved by the academic institution and clinic for a behavioral health placement; have completed the didactic and clinical prerequisites required before placement, including relevant psychiatric and psychopharmacology coursework; hold a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the state of the clinical site; maintain current Basic Life Support certification and any additional credentials required by the placement; satisfy all health screening, immunization, background check, and onboarding requirements; and obtain formal authorization from the academic program to participate in the outpatient mental health clinical internship.
