About this role
POSITION TITLE: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS) – Behavioral Health
LOCATION: Longview, Washington
REPORTS TO: Behavioral Health Program Manager
STATUS: Exempt; Full-Time
WAGE RANGE: $179,816 - $224,848
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (First Review 10/7/2026)
***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes a Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***
Position Summary:
Offers comprehensive diagnostic assessment, medication management, and treatment services to individuals experiencing high-acuity mental health conditions and/or co-occurring substance use disorders who are receiving services through Cowlitz Indian Tribes Behavioral Health Program. Provides psychiatric evaluation, psychopharmacological treatment, therapeutic interventions, and consultation with the multidisciplinary treatment team. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT) and of the Health and Human Services department.
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Prescribes, monitors, and adjusts psychiatric medications in accordance with professional standards, agency policies, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Performs comprehensive biopsychosocial diagnostic assessments to determine appropriate diagnosis and identifies treatment needs and options.
- Provides therapeutic and psychopharmacological interventions along with ongoing monitoring and management of clients level of functioning and treatment outcomes.
- Provides crisis intervention as needed, including safety planning, relapse prevention planning, referral to community resources, and same-day evaluation and possible stabilization.
- Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary clinical team to staff cases and review progress, hurdles, feedback, and recommendations.
- Coordinates care of clients receiving behavioral health services with the referral source, family, and other organizations involved to further the effectiveness of treatment services.
- Collaborates with other community services and resources to ensure continuity of care and achievement of treatment goals.
- Utilizes appropriate measurements and mental status examination to validate results of the diagnostic assessment. Practices independently while consulting and collaborating with department staff and community partners.
- May provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for assigned clients when clinically appropriate and may support MAT service coverage as needed.
- Develops an individualized service plan in accordance with behavioral health care standards; monitors progress and adapts as needed.
- Provides psycho education to clients, families, and significant others on topics including diagnosis, medications, and available resources while respecting client confidentiality.
- Maintains complete and accurate electronic health records and documents all client contacts and services provided in accordance with program policy and professional standards.
- Maintains client confidentiality.
- Participates in professional development and maintains required licensure and certification.
- Participates in staff meetings as requested.
- Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
- Works collaboratively in a team environment to achieve shared goals.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
- Knowledge of patient evaluation and plan of care procedures.
- Knowledge of patient outreach services and activities.
- Knowledge of local behavioral health crisis services, general knowledge of behavioral health safety holds/involuntary hospitalizations, least restrictive alternatives, and definitions of grave disability.
- Knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles and methodologies in substance use disorder treatment and recovery support.
- Skills in performing comprehensive biopsychosocial diagnostic assessments.
- Skills in de-escalation and crisis intervention.
- Skills in completing documentation in an electronic health record system.
- Ability to apply behavioral health counseling methods and techniques.
- Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and make individualized adaptations.
- Ability to conceptualize client and family experiences through a culturally and historically informed lens.
- Ability to develop and offer educational presentations.
- Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of individualized service plans.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with clients and their families.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and contribute to the creation of an inclusive environment.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's or Doctoral Degree in Nursing.
- Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- DEA registration or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure in good standing.
- One year of experience providing services as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- BLS/CPR and AED certifications.
- Experience working within American Indian and/or Alaska Native communities preferred.
- A valid drivers license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
- Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.
Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CITs established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Background Investigation Requirements:
- Pre-employment drug screen.
- Personal and professional reference checks and employment verification.
- Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
- Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers for a variety of tasks, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.
Work Environment:
Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employee may be exposed to bodily fluids, bloodborne pathogens, and infectious diseases. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Overnight travel and/or evening and/or weekend work may occasionally be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.
