Advanced Practice Nurse – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Department of Human Services – Division of Family Guidance

Organizational Overview:

The Bergen County Division of Family Guidance provides clinical, residential, educational, correctional, case management, and monitoring services to at-risk children, adolescents, and families, particularly those who are otherwise unable to receive needed services. Through its more than 27 programs, it is Bergen County’s resource for youth and families in need.

Job Description:

The Division of Family Guidance seeks an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) to provide psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapy/brief therapeutic interventions for adolescents primarily in: (1) a school-based program serving psychiatrically involved students and (2) an outpatient clinical setting. The APN/PMHNP works collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to support safety, stabilization, symptom reduction, and continuity of care.

This position also provides as-needed back-up coverage at the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) to ensure continuity of services during absences of the APN assigned to that location.

Job Responsibilities:

Psychiatric Assessment and Medication Management (Core Duties – School and Outpatient)

  • Conduct psychiatric evaluations, ongoing medication management visits, and risk assessments for adolescents.
  • Prescribe, adjust, and discontinue psychotropic medications as clinically indicated, including appropriate monitoring for efficacy, side effects, and safety.
  • Order and review clinically indicated labs/screening measures (e.g., metabolic monitoring) and coordinate follow-up as needed.
  • Provide medication education to youth and caregivers (when applicable), including informed consent/assent processes and adherence support.
  • Coordinate care with primary care providers, psychiatry, and community providers to ensure continuity of treatment.
  • Psychotherapy / Therapeutic Interventions (School and Outpatient)
  • Provide individual and group therapeutic interventions consistent with program needs (e.g., brief evidence-informed interventions, skills-based groups, supportive therapy).
  • Contribute to treatment planning and provide clinically relevant input to the multidisciplinary team.
  • Juvenile Detention Center Coverage (Back-Up Coverage as Needed)
  • When providing coverage at the JDC, the APN/PMHNP may be responsible for the following duties consistent with facility protocols and scope of practice:
  • Provide psychiatric assessment and medication management to detained youth, including continuation/verification of existing prescriptions and safety monitoring.
  • Conduct intake medical evaluations for newly admitted youth as required by facility policy, including health history, review of systems, vital signs, and targeted assessment as indicated.
  • Perform medical triage to identify urgent/emergency conditions requiring same-day evaluation, higher level of care, or external transport.
  • Screen for communicable disease risk and complete required infection-control processes per protocol.
  • Order and review clinically indicated tests and follow-up (e.g., labs, pregnancy testing when clinically indicated, toxicology screening if required by protocol) and coordinate external referrals when services are not available on-site.
  • Provide episodic care (“sick call”) and chronic condition follow-up during coverage periods as clinically indicated.
  • Maintain timely, accurate documentation in the designated record system, including assessments, orders, treatment plans, and follow-up actions.
  • Program Coordination, Documentation, and Compliance
  • Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation in the designated health record consistent with agency, state, and program requirements.
  • Participate in case conferences, discharge planning, and coordination with families/guardians, school personnel (as appropriate), and involved systems.
  • Follow all applicable privacy, consent, mandated reporting, and safety protocols for adolescents in school and outpatient settings, and for detained youth when providing coverage at the JDC.
  • Consultation and Staff Support
  • Provide clinical consultation and training to direct care and program staff regarding psychotropic medications, behavioral health symptoms, crisis response, and basic health/safety protocols as assigned.
  • Provide clinical oversight to medical staff within scope and program structure, as applicable.

Schedule:   

  • Full time (40 hours/week) Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:30PM
  • Occasional coverage of outside standard hours and/or at alternate sites (including the JDC) may be required based on program needs.

Education & Licensure Requirements:   

  • Master’s Degree in Nursing (or higher).
  • Current New Jersey licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).

Preferred / Additional Requirements:

  • National certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
  • Current NJ Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) registration and DEA registration (or ability to obtain upon hire).
  • Experience providing psychiatric services to adolescents; experience with high-acuity and/or justice-involved youth preferred.
  • Competency with evidence-based brief psychotherapy approaches and crisis/risk assessment.
  • Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation standards.

Other Requirements:

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
  • The selected applicants will be required to complete a pre-employment physical, successfully pass a drug screening process, as well as a motor vehicle and criminal records check.

What we offer:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Enrollment into the state pension system
  • Life, Short-term Disability & Long-term Disability coverage
  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Salary: $90,000 / per annum

Please send resume and employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

The County of Bergen complies with the New Jersey First Act. An employee’s primary residence must be within the State of New Jersey, or the employee will have 365 days (1 Year) from their date of hire to satisfy the requirement of principal residency.