Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

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