State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (40 Hour) (5913FL)

$60.22-$79.68 Hourly / $4,817.05-$6,374.14 BiWeekly /
$125,725.00-$166,365.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Children and Families, Correction and Mental Health and Addiction Services in a community or inpatient setting this class is accountable for providing consultation, program development and interdisciplinary cooperation with health care disciplines as well as providing ongoing psychotherapy.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Both the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (APRN) and the Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse classes are responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance use disorders, etc. The distinction between this class and the APRN is the level of autonomy in decision making and providing a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The focus of this class is on the therapeutic milieu (assuring supports allow for positive outcomes for patients) and ongoing application of psychotherapy services (individual, group and family).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of a Physician, administrator or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides clinical supervision and leadership to staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assesses, plans and evaluates nursing process using a high level of expertise and clinical independence; 
  • Provides health care to clients and/or individuals using increasingly complex methods of interaction such as group and family therapy; 
  • Evaluates effectiveness of clinical care provided to clients and/or individuals; 
  • Prescribes medication; 
  • Consults with and/or leads members of interdisciplinary teams and community representatives to assess, plan, implement and evaluate health services; 
  • Provides leadership in delivery of quality care; 
  • Assists in establishment of criteria for monitoring of standards of direct client and/or individual care; 
  • Serves as professional role model for staff by demonstrating clinical expertise; 
  • Provides clinical supervision of staff members for purpose of advancing knowledge in individual client and/or individual relationships, direct care problems, group processes and family therapy; 
  • Conveys new and existing knowledge in fields of health to nursing personnel, interdisciplinary team members and community groups; 
  • Protects human and civil rights of clients and/or individuals and staff; 
  • Initiates and supports research projects which are carried out in accordance with departmental guidelines; 
  • Leads or co-leads psychotherapy or family therapy groups; 
  • Teaches and supervises staff in provision of group therapy; 
  • Provides clinical consultation regarding crisis intervention and mechanisms to prevent crisis situations; 
  • May identify problem areas related to nursing care and assist in collection of data; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • principles and practices of psychiatric nursing, treatment modalities and concepts of programs for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders; 
    • advanced nursing principles and treatments; 
    • dynamics of behavior at individual, family and group levels; 
  • Knowledge of
    • pharmacology as it relates to advanced nursing practice; 
    • research methodology; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
    • clinical assessment and evaluation skills; 
  • Ability to
    • examine, diagnose, assess and treat patients; 
    • interpret diagnostic tests; 
    • prescribe appropriate medications and other treatments; 
    • provide clinical instruction; 
    • utilize computer software; 
  • Administrative ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in psychiatric and/or mental health nursing AND two (2) years of experience as a professional nurse working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • A Master's or higher degree in nursing outside the psychiatric and mental health field with a minimum of twenty-four (24) graduate or postgraduate level academic hours in psychiatric and mental health theory and supervised clinical training in two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities may be substituted for the Master's degree requirement of the General Experience.
  • A Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing and certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMH) as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) may be substituted for a Master’s in psychiatric and/or mental health nursing.
  • Individuals who have obtained a Master’s or higher degree in nursing on or before December 31, 2004 and have two (2) years of experience as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders, need not meet the educational requirements defined in the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse issued by the Department of Public Health.
  • Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(22)-Nursing

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

FL 32

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (40 Hour) in Salary Group FL 32 approved effective September 16, 2024. (Reviewed in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes. Revised to modernize format and text) Final No. 24-272

EFFECTIVE DATE

12/12/2024
CLASS: 5913FL; EST: 1/26/1968; REV: 12/17/2024;