UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas, which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

Under the full time, on-site Medical Director for the Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric Programs, the incumbent will serve as a designated expert for assessing and interpreting often complicated psychiatric cases and providing specialized mental health care services in one of the leading eating disorders partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs in the country. This position is with the Adult program (ages 18 and over), though incumbent should be prepared to treat patients ages 8 - 65 years old, as some coverage may also take place in the child/adolescent programs. Evaluate and manage both eating disorders and a broad range of co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Conduct in-depth interviews with patients with a range of disorder symptoms, construct comprehensive psychiatric and medical histories, perform targeted physical exams as needed. Develop and implement short- and long-range treatment plans. Consult and coordinate care with other medical, psychological, and multidisciplinary staff at the EDC, and outside providers and agencies. Provide ongoing psychiatric medication management. Perform crisis intervention and counseling to patients and families regarding any aspect of diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders. Utilize critical thinking skills to individualize patient care to manage illness, promote well-being, and foster rehabilitative and preventive lifestyle choices. Coordinate appropriate referrals, case management, and follow-up care for patients. Further develop and share knowledge through collaborations with EDC research staff, EDC trainings and seminars, multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, and medical/psychiatric team meetings. Participate in and provide continuing education for staff and develop relevant programs regarding the diagnosis and management of patients with eating disorders and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Incumbent will be responsible for identifying and solving complex problems, collaborating with other UCSD and community health care providers, and assisting staff to meet clinical standard of practice. Prepare and maintain clinical documentation, participate in regulatory compliance and quality assurance for psychiatric cases, and serve as a resource for clinic staff. Plan and present services to staff and/or community groups. In summary, incumbent will receive training and experience to further develop their expertise in the specialty of eating disorders as well as the treatment of general psychiatric disorders, work closely with a multidisciplinary treatment team in managing interesting and complex patients, and have opportunities to develop programs and educate other staff. This position provides the opportunity for independent psychiatric management of a caseload with the benefit of readily available expert physician consultation as needed.

• Must be a graduate from an accredited nurse practitioner program.

• California Registered Nurse (RN) license, California Nurse Practitioner (NP) license, and Furnishing License Certification.

• Current Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP).

• BART or BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within 6 months of hire date.

• Recent relevant clinical training or work experience as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

• Proven knowledge of psychiatric principles, practices, and process gained through extended clinical study and experience. Knowledge of psychiatric models of care with emphasis on interdisciplinary team approach.

• Knowledge of community agencies most frequently used in mental health care.

• Advanced knowledge and experience in managing psychiatric medications.

• Demonstrated abilities and experience in providing crisis counseling to patients and families regarding any aspect of diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders.

• Proven experience in providing education to the patient and family related to the ongoing primary care of the patient such as health maintenance, prevention, anticipatory guidance, and management of psychiatric disorders.

• Experience in providing continuing education for staff and develop relevant programs regarding the diagnosis and management of the patients with psychiatric disorders.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to discuss difficult issues with sensitivity and tact.

• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Recent experience with eating disorder patients.

• Successful completion of a PMHNP fellowship program.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Should be available for occasional calls or emails on weekends or evenings to handle urgent matters as part of a team. Occasional overtime may be required.

• Must be able to obtain UCSD Medical Staff privileges and maintain during employment. Due to advanced practice credentialing eligibility, clinical advanced practice experience must be within the last two years.

• Current University of California NPIII employees may be hired at the NPIII level pending review and approval by Health Human Resources and the UCSD Advanced Practice Council.