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Functional Title: Psychiatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Job Title: Psychiatric Advanced Nurse Pra
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: PsychSecurity Direct Care
Posting Number: 19755
Closing Date: 09/09/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Salary Range: $12,390.00 - $14,356.00
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-29
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location: Kerrville State Hospital
Job Location City: KERRVILLE
Job Location Address: 721 THOMPSON DR
Other Locations: Kerrville
MOS Codes: 290X,46YX,66P,66R,HS
Brief Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Psychiatric Advanced Practice RN is appointed by the Medical Director subject to the approval of the State Hospital Superintendent. Performs highly advanced (senior-level) psychiatric care under the supervision as delegated by a psychiatrist. Work involves assessing, planning, and providing comprehensive psychiatric patient care independently or in collaboration with other health care professionals. Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others, including other APRNs as well as performs assigned administrative duties. Meets face to face with individuals served as needed. Directs psychiatric activities/treatment, monitors trends and activities, and makes recommendations for improvement. Prescribes medications to include antipsychotics, orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic testing, consults, and referrals. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Medical Director, including planning, assigning, and/or supervising the work of others; and representing the Medical Director in their absence. Participates in the quality assessment and performance improvement program. Serves as a leader of the patient’s recovery team. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Works under the clinical and administrative supervision of the Medical Director and/or delegating physician. May also work collaboratively with physicians via telemedicine.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Operates within the scope of their licensure to promote and maintain a therapeutic and safe psychiatric milieu. Oversees and provides acute and long-term psychiatric care to individuals, including daily assessment in the patient’s mental health status. Evaluates and makes appropriate referrals for patient’s injury or change in physical status. The assessment also includes diagnosis, treatment, and development of a plan of care with documentation of the acute issue as it pertains to psychiatric treatment.
Prescribes medications, including antipsychotics, orders laboratory and diagnostic testing, consults, makes referrals and interprets the results.
Provides psychiatric care meeting face to face with individuals, which includes an initial and ongoing assessment for individuals with identified acute and long-term psychiatric diagnosis; conducts a review of appropriate treatment specific to the disease process and updates or changes in psychiatric treatment are made as warranted.
Provides comprehensive psychiatric care, which includes conducting rounds, leading Recovery Team Meetings, participating in court hearings and serving as a liaison to the courts.
Conducts periodic reviews of hospitalized patients when on-call for evaluation of the reported change in status or condition of individuals under treatment.
Oversees and provides psychiatric diagnosis and the review of the recovery plan, including review of all the identified risks of the individual, (choking, falls, seizures, aggression, etc.) as well as their health status, and ensures necessary supports (OT, PT, Nursing, etc.) have been identified and appropriate areas of need are being addressed.
Oversees and develops accurate and timely documentation, which includes annual summaries, use of physical restraints and evaluating the correctness of assessments, compliance with policies and procedures, and revenue enhancement.
Participates in the hospital wide quality assessment and performance improvement program by performing audits of medical records, monitoring compliance with standards, developing plans of correction, monitoring implementation of performance improvement activities, and evaluating the outcome of those activities. They also participate in the Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) by monitoring the practice of other APRNs and providing feedback to improve performance.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Medical Director, including overseeing, planning, assigning, and/or supervising the work of others as well as participating in meetings both internal and external to the hospital; and representing the Medical Director in their absence. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of methods and procedures in the field of psychiatric/nursing including laws and ordinances governing mental health and hospital operations
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for the delivery of medical/psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment
Knowledge of the principles of the development, implementation, and documentation of case histories and individualized care and recovery plans
Skills in interpretation of laboratory results
Skills in the care and treatment of patients and in the use of medical diagnostic and treatment tools and equipment
Ability to examine, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders.
Ability to supervise the work of others who provide psychiatric care and medical as needed.
Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
Ability to prepare and maintain medical records.
Ability to work productively with professionals and paraprofessionals as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to work independently and be flexible in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Must be registered and certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by the Texas Board of Nursing or in another state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
The APRN specialization must be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or other recognized certifying agencies.
Must have, or ability to obtain, a current registration certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Must possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI#) as defined by Medicare Part B
Initial Screening Criteria:
Graduation from an advanced practice registered nurse educational program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Board of Nursing with a master’s degree or higher level.
At least 2 years (twenty-four months) of clinical nursing experience.
One (1) year of work as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is preferred.
One year (twelve months) of experience in supervising or leading the work of others.
Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
