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The substance use disorder (SUD) Bridge Clinic provides rapid assessment, treatment initiation, and stabilization for patients with substance use disorder, with a specific focus on equitable care which seeks to eliminate any disparities in access to or retention in treatment by race, ethnicity, or language. The clinic is staffed by a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, an office-based addiction treatment (OBAT) nurse, social workers, psychologists, a recovery coach, and a resource specialist. The clinic also serves as a core rotation for the addiction fellowships. The supportive care model consists of rapid access to low threshold evaluation and treatment for individuals identified with SUD throughout the Mass General and Mass General Brigham system. Patients are assessed by the team and a patient-centered treatment plan is determined. The patient is managed by the Bridge Clinic team on a transitional basis while linkages are made to the suitable and patient-preferred level of care within the community. This role will provide expert psychiatric and addiction care to patients seen in the Bridge Clinic. This is a part-time position of about 16-20 hours/week.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical Practice
• Provides patient assessment, diagnosis, determination of a treatment plan, withdrawal management, initiating maintenance pharmacotherapy, and evaluation/management of Substance Use Disorder
• Provides assessment, diagnoses, and treatment (pharmacotherapy and behavioral) for co-occurring psychopathology, as well as consultation to clinic staff regarding ongoing management of patient behavior.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision -making.
• Demonstrates patient-centered approach to care, engages in shared decision making with patients, recognizes their subjective health needs, past experiences, and treatment preferences. Is willing and able to engage with patients in all stages of readiness.
• Demonstrates competency in Harm Reduction as a philosophy and set of core practices and is comfortable integrating harm reduction services into clinical care
• Serv es as a patient and family advocate and facilitates compassionate and trauma-informed approach within the Bridge Clinic.
• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, cultural humility, harm reduction, and patient-centered practice
Education
• Apply new technology, nursing theories, evidence-based research findings and experiential knowledge to support nursing practice. Promote independent professional nursing practice in the staff nurse group in collaboration with team members, managers and clinical leadership.
• Opportunity to participate in activities that contribute to the education of health care professionals including presenting and publishing when applicable.
• Facilitate the educational experience of medical residents, nurse practitioner students, and fellows working in the Bridge Clinic.
• Assumes Preceptor role for advanced practice nurses rotating through the Bridge Clinic
Research/Research Utilization
• Participate in and support research activities that will positively influence patient care and patient care outcomes.
• Participate in and facilitate quality assurance and performance improvement activities for evaluation of structure, process, and outcome criteria as it relates to clinical practice.
• Maintain familiarity with current trends in health care and their implications related to the treatment of substance use disorder and psychiatric illness. (This includes appropriate pharmacologic and non -pharmacologic treatment modalities).
Clinical Leadership
• Integrate systems thinking, ethical reasoning, and problem solving in identifying interventions that facilitate quality, cost-effective patient care outcomes.
• Facilitate patient movement through the system and efficient use of resources through interdepartmental collaboration.
• Analyze clinical and non-clinical variables to anticipate patient care needs and predict responses.
• Negotiate conflict to promote collaboration.
Professional Development
• Engage in self-performance appraisal on an annual basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas for professional and practice development.
• Identify individual learning needs and goals and develop a plan to meet them.
• Maintain clinical knowledge and skills based upon current nursing and health care practices.
• Maintain membership in professional nursing organizations.
• Maintain the standards and educational requirements specific to the nurse practitioner role and licensure.
• Maintain and update clinical knowledge and skills based on current health care practice/research.
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
Relying on advanced training in psychodynamics, pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacology, treatment intervention, addiction management, harm reduction, and relapse prevention, the APRN provides an assessment and assistance with establishing comprehensive plans that address a broad range of concerns for the patient with substance use disorder:
1) Complete biopsychosocial and psychopharmacological evaluations
2) Develop treatment plans based on assessments and provide appropriate treatment
3) Maintain working relationship with patient and/or family while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
4) Maintain effective working relationships with collaborative leadership teams and interdisciplinary health care teams and appropriate community providers
5) Document in the medical record according to departmental policies and procedures
A qualified candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and organizational skills.LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS (if applicable):
Current licensure as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Maintain DEA and Mass Controlled Substances Licensing and X Licensing for Buprenorphine
Certified Addictions Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) (preferred) .
Buprenorphine Waiver required.
Current federal and state controlled substance certification/registration or eligibility.
EDUCATION:
Masters degree in Nursing
EXPERIENCE:
Previous experience as a psychiatric advanced practice provider required.
