Provide advanced nursing care for patients with psychiatric disorders. May provide psychotherapy under the direction of a psychiatrist.
<ul><li>Monitor patients' medication usage and results.</li><li>Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.</li><li>Evaluate patients' behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.</li><li>Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.</li><li>Distinguish between physiologically and psychologically based disorders and diagnose appropriately.</li><li>Assess patients' mental and physical status based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.</li><li>Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.</li><li>Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.</li><li>Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, or nursing staff, to develop, implement, or evaluate treatment plans.</li><li>Develop and implement treatment plans.</li><li>Participate in activities aimed at professional growth and development including conferences or continuing education activities.</li><li>Interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and renal functioning tests.</li><li>Conduct individual, group, or family psychotherapy for those with chronic or acute mental disorders.</li><li>Consult with psychiatrists or other professionals when unusual or complex cases are encountered.</li><li>Participate in treatment team conferences regarding diagnosis or treatment of difficult cases.</li><li>Develop practice protocols for mental health problems based on review and evaluation of published research.</li><li>Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.</li><li>Develop, implement, or evaluate programs such as outreach activities, community mental health programs, and crisis situation response activities.</li><li>Teach classes in mental health topics such as stress reduction.</li><li>Administer medications including those administered by injection.</li><li>Monitor the use and status of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.</li></ul>