Role Orientation: Nurse Practitioner

1. Purpose of the Role

The NP provides integrated, whole-person care that combines mental health, functional/medical assessment, and RHC services. NPs help clients understand what is happening in their brain and body, order and interpret labs, prescribe medications when appropriate, and collaborate with therapists and techs to support long-term healing.

2. Primary Duties

• Conduct initial and follow-up visits (in-person or telehealth) focused on:
  • Mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related symptoms)
  • Related functional/medical concerns within NP scope
• Order, review, and interpret appropriate labs and tests as allowed by law and policy.
• Prescribe, adjust, and monitor medications when indicated.
• Collaborate with therapists, case managers, and field techs on integrated treatment plans.
• Provide clear, trauma-informed education to clients about diagnosis, treatment options, and risks/benefits.
• Document all encounters in the EHR within required timeframes, meeting both BH and RHC documentation standards.
• Use standing orders and protocols to direct techs and support staff when appropriate.
• Participate in case consultation, supervision, and quality improvement processes.

3. Key Systems & Tools

• EHR for documentation, ordering labs, and secure messaging
• Telehealth platform(s) for virtual visits
• Lab ordering/portal systems (e.g., Quest, Labcorp, Rupa, Optimal DX, etc. as applicable)
• Internal communication tools (secure messaging, email, task systems)

4. Supervision & Chain of Command

• Clinical oversight: Medical Director / Collaborating Physician (where required by law)
• Day-to-day support: Clinical Director & COO
• For operational issues (scheduling, workflow, support staff): COO or site lead
• For RHC-specific questions: RHC program lead / operations lead

You are expected to consult with the Clinical Director/Medical Director for complex cases, high-risk situations, and scope or ethics questions.

5. Scope & Boundaries

You can:

• Diagnose and treat within NP scope and your collaborative agreements.
• Order labs, imaging, and medications as permitted.
• Direct techs/field staff under standing orders or patient-specific orders.
• Collaborate closely with therapists and case managers as part of integrated care.

You must not:

• Practice outside your license or collaborative agreement.
• Delegate tasks to techs or staff that exceed their scope or our policies.
• Ignore or minimize significant safety concerns—these require escalation and documentation.

6. RHC & Behavioral Health Connection

• Many of your visits are RHC encounters, even when they are primarily mental health.
• Your documentation must support both:
  • Behavioral health standards and
  • RHC billing/operational requirements.
• You are a key bridge between labs/functional medicine, medication management, and therapy.

7. Success in This Role Looks Like

• Clients feel heard, informed, and empowered about their treatment.
• Documentation is timely, clear, and supports safe, integrated care.
• You collaborate well with therapists, techs, and case managers.
• Safety concerns are managed proactively and documented thoroughly.
• RHC expectations (labs, infection control, documentation, emergency procedures) are met consistently.