Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric/Behav Health - University

Are you looking for an opportunity to do amazing work helping others? You've come to the right place. Let's make a difference!

Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA. Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay.

Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy.

PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education.

We currently have locations in Ames, Des Moines, & Marshalltown.

Reporting to the Medical Director, the Nurse Practitioner provides patient care services to the Primary Health Care, Inc.

PHC) patient population in assigned PHC clinic sites, and on occasion including any of the various Outreach Project sites, including, but not limited to, patient homes, school based clinics, mobile unit(s), shelters, street sites, and any other current or future designated location or PHC site.

Works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to provide, delegate, evaluate, and coordinate comprehensive professional care for patients of all cultures and backgrounds.

Meets ever changing healthcare challenges while engaging patients in holistic care.

What You Will Be Doing

• Provides medical care in accordance with established standards, regulations, and policies and procedures of PHC.
• Obtains medical histories and performs complete and / or appropriate examination to diagnose and treat patients in person or via telemedicine as appropriate.
• Orders appropriate diagnostic tests including radiology and laboratory studies and interprets results.
• Writes medical orders and prescriptions.
• Performs approved procedures.
• Provides patient and family education and counseling.

2. Accurately codes patient encounters. Maintains and monitors electronic medical records including history, physical exams, progress notes, and discharge summaries.

Ensures complete documentation of medical records within the designated time frame established by PHC.

3. Completes appropriate correspondence, phone calls, referral documentation, prior authorizations, refills, and letters to patients and referring providers within the designated time frame established by PHC.

4. Actively participates in process improvement work and quality measures consistent with organizational priorities.

5. Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements including, but not limited to, risk management, medical records / peer review, accreditation requirements and federal, state, and local regulations.

6. Provides leadership, mentoring, training, and education for employees, students, and residents. Participates in research as desired.

Qualifications You Will Bring

Education : Graduate of an approved Nurse Practitioner program.

Experience : No minimum experience required.

License / Certifications :

• Licensed Nurse Practitioner in the state of Iowa.
• Board Certified as appropriate for license / specialty.
• Current registration with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners (CSA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers Certification recognized by the American Heart Association.
• Current Mandatory Reporter Training : Child and Dependent Adult Abuse recognized by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• Must be obtained during introductory period if not current.

Knowledge, Skills or Abilities :

• Effective organizational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good listening skills.
• Proficiency in operating a computer and ability to learn and use computer applications.
• Efficient time management skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; especially with diverse groups and individuals.
• Ability to professionally, appropriately, and effectively interact and work with all levels of staff in the primary care clinical setting and multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to collaborate effectively on patient care plans with multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates patient centered care.
• Ability to respond to multiple Provider requests and patient needs in busy primary care practice.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the desire to work with and serve a diverse population.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to de-escalate difficult situations.

Other Job Requirements :

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Occasional Travel required.

Preferred Qualifications

Education : N / A

Experience : Community Health Center experience.

License / Certifications : N / A

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities : Bilingual, verbal and written language proficiency; English / Spanish.

Typical Work Hours

This position typically works 40 hours per week. The schedule for this position will vary and could include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

We Take Care of Our Employees!

Your experience and skills determine your base pay. The hiring range for this position is typically $112,000 - $140,000, though highly experienced candidates may earn up to $168,000 per year.

PHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including :

Generous PTO accrual (equal to ENTER weeks at end of 1st year) plus paid holidays

License / certification fee reimbursement

Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement program

401k with company match

Medical insurance - PHC Pays, on average, 80% of medical premiums for all plan types (employee, employee + family, etc.)

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life & disability insurance

Flexible spending & health savings accounts

Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance

Discounts on pet insurance

Visit for a summary of PHC’s benefits.

Join the PHC Community