Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses — Tasks

Task statements

• Consult with psychiatrists or other professionals when unusual or complex cases are encountered.
• Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
• Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
• Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
• Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
• Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.
• Monitor patients' medication usage and results.
• Evaluate patients' behavior to formulate diagnoses or assess treatments.
• Distinguish between physiologically- and psychologically-based disorders, and diagnose appropriately.
• Develop and implement treatment plans.
• Conduct individual, group, or family psychotherapy for those with chronic or acute mental disorders.
• Participate in activities aimed at professional growth and development, including conferences or continuing education activities.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, or nursing staff, to develop, implement, or evaluate treatment plans.
• Refer patients requiring more specialized or complex treatment to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or other medical specialists.
• Participate in treatment team conferences regarding diagnosis or treatment of difficult cases.
• Interpret diagnostic or laboratory tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and renal functioning tests.
• Develop practice protocols for mental health problems, based on review and evaluation of published research.
• Provide routine physical health screenings to detect or monitor problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
• Administer medications, including those administered by injection.
• Develop, implement, or evaluate programs such as outreach activities, community mental health programs, and crisis situation response activities.
• Monitor the use and status of medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
• Treat patients for routine physical health problems.
• Direct or provide home health services.
• Teach classes in mental health topics, such as stress reduction.