Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

State of Montana; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 86,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Montana Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Enterprise Division seeks a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner to deliver psychiatric care in a secure correctional setting in Billings, Montana. You will conduct assessments, diagnose and treat conditions, and develop patient-centered treatment plans.

Experience as an advanced practice nurse in psychiatry, strong interprofessional collaboration, and adherence to safety and documentation standards are essential.

Qualifications

• Masters degree from an accredited APRN program as an Advanced Practice Nurse-Psych.
• Two years of job related experience.
• Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Criminal history check and reference checks required.
• Agency participates in E-Verify for employment eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments and develop diagnoses.
• Diagnose and treat acute medical and behavioral health conditions.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans with evidence-based interventions.
• Prescribe medications per legal and regulatory guidelines.
• Coordinate care with physicians, psychologists, and other clinicians.
• Provide patient education tailored to learning needs.
• Assist in emergency psychiatric interventions and crisis stabilization.
• Maintain compliant clinical documentation per DOC standards.
• Collaborate with security and health staff to support safety and continuity of care.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Medication management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in APRN (Advanced Practice Nurse- Psych)

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Job Description - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (26142681)

Position Title:

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner - ( 26142681 )

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment. If you want to work making positive changes in your community, the Montana Department of Corrections is the place for you!

The Rehabilitation and Enterprise Division ensures the physical and mental well being of inmates, delivers educational and vocational opportunities within prisons, and oversees community facilities dedicated to successfully reintegrating offenders into Montana communities. Join the team responsible for building better tomorrows today!

As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner working within a secure correctional environment, you will play a critical role in addressing the complex medical and psychiatric needs of an incarcerated population. Your clinical expertise will directly support institutional safety by stabilizing acute conditions, improving mental health outcomes, and helping residents develop healthier, more adaptive behaviors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct comprehensive psychiatric assessments by reviewing and interpreting patient histories, symptoms, physical findings, and diagnostic information to develop accurate clinical diagnoses.

Diagnose and treat acute medical and behavioral health conditions, including illnesses, infections, injuries, and psychiatric disorders.

Develop and implement individualized treatment plans utilizing evidence‑based practices and clinically appropriate interventions.

Prescribe medications in accordance with legal and regulatory guidelines, considering safety, efficacy, cost, and patient response.

Recommend diagnostic and therapeutic interventions with attention to risk, invasiveness, client acceptability, adherence, and overall effectiveness.

Provide patient education on managing acute and chronic conditions, ensuring instructions are tailored to individual learning needs and circumstances.

Coordinate care through timely referrals to physicians, psychologists, chemical dependency counselors, mental health centers, social services, and other professionals or agencies as required.

Assist in emergency psychiatric interventions, which may include participation in emergency commitments and crisis stabilization procedures.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation in accordance with DOC standards, medical regulations, and facility protocols.

Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team—including security, medical, and behavioral health staff—to support institutional safety, continuity of care, and rehabilitation goals.

Ensure adherence to security protocols and maintain professional boundaries while providing patient‑centered psychiatric care in a correctional environment.

Your impact extends far beyond the facility itself. By providing high-quality psychiatric care, promoting self‑management of chronic conditions, and referring individuals to appropriate internal and external resources, you help support successful reentry and reduce the likelihood of future incarceration. Your work will strengthen communities across Montana and contribute to long‑term public safety.

QUALIFICATIONS

The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

Masters degree from an accredited APRN program as an Advanced Practice Nurse-Psych

Two years of job related experience.

Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis .

Successful applicants will be subject to:

Criminal history check

Reference checks

The Department of Corrections participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.After accepting a job offer and completing form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/ .

NOTICES

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) - Any person who has 1) engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution; 2) been convicted of engaging in or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or 3) been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in activity as described in the latter, are not qualified for this position.

Tobacco Free -The use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products and tobacco substitutes is prohibited in Department of Corrections buildings. In secure care facilities possession of tobacco products is prohibited.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $

75.62 - 75.62 Hourly Telework Eligibility : Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 20 % of the Time

Primary Location

Billings Agency : Department of Corrections Union : 000 - None

Contact Name : Paula Plattner | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.