Advanced Psychiatric Provider (NP/PA)

Description

OUR MISSION

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. Our partnership model is collaborative and enables hospitals, health jurisdictions, and state/local government agencies to deliver timely, equity-based care to marginalized populations.

Indio Crisis Walk-in Center

WEA’s Crisis Walk-In (CWI) Center, located on the behavioral health campus of Riverside University Health System in Indio, CA, offers 24/7 walk-in, voluntary crisis services for adults and children ages 5 and older. Designed to provide immediate, accessible care, the center serves up to 20 patients at a time, including both youth and adults.

Position Summary

The Advanced Psychiatric Provider (APP)—Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Physician Assistant (PA-C)—provides psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and

treatment for youth and adults presenting in acute behavioral health crisis at WEA’s Indio Crisis Walk-In Center (CWIC). 

This role focuses on rapid evaluation, stabilization, and clinical decision-making within a walk-in crisis model, supporting safe and timely transitions to appropriate levels of care. The APP works closely with other psychiatric medical providers, nursing staff, behavioral health clinicians, and peer support specialists as part of an interdisciplinary care team. The APP works closely with and under the clinical supervision of the Psychiatrist/Medical Director, when appropriate and in accordance with California regulations. Operating in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment, the APP plays a key role in patient flow, medication management, and real-time care coordination. This is an ideal opportunity for providers who are confident in crisis settings, value team-based care, and are committed to serving vulnerable populations with high-quality, equitable behavioral health services.

Key Highlights

• Compensation: The compensation range for this role is $156,000–$208,000 annually, with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and role scope.
• Work Location & Expectations: This role requires daily in-person engagement at Indio Crisis Walk-in Center location.
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare coverage, paid time off, and shareholder/equity options.
• Professional Development: Opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional leaders across Behavioral Health, Medical, Street Medicine, Public Health, Rural Health, and Tribal Health initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnosis

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including history, mental status exams, and risk assessments.
• Assess for co-occurring mental health, substance use, and medical conditions.
• Determine appropriate levels of care and support disposition planning.
• Perform safety assessments, including suicide and risk evaluations, and safe discharge planning.

2. Medication Management & Treatment

• Prescribe and manage psychotropic medications in accordance with clinical guidelines.
• Monitor treatment response, side effects, and medication adherence.
• Adjust treatment plans based on clinical presentation and patient needs.
• Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests and labs as appropriate.

3. Crisis Intervention & Stabilization

• Provide timely clinical interventions to support rapid stabilization of individuals in crisis, including determining if medical clearance in emergency department or urgent care is necessary before admission.
• Collaborate with nursing and behavioral health staff to manage acute psychiatric symptoms.
• Support decision-making related to escalation, emergency interventions, or transfer to higher levels of care.
• Apply trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approaches in crisis response.

4. Care Coordination & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with Psychiatrist/Medical Director, RNs, behavioral health providers, and peer support specialists.
• Participate in team huddles, case discussions, and care planning.
• Coordinate care with internal and external partners to ensure smooth transitions.
• Provide clinical guidance and support to team members as appropriate.

5. Patient & Family Engagement

• Communicate diagnoses, treatment plans, and next steps clearly with patients and families.
• Provide education on medications, symptom management, and follow-up care.
• Support patient-centered care planning that respects individual preferences and needs.

6. Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate documentation of evaluations, treatment plans, and clinical decisions.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, clinical protocols, and organizational policies.
• Document risk assessments, clinical rationale, and disposition decisions with a high level of clarity and defensibility.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records within the EHR.

7. Operational Support & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to efficient patient flow within a walk-in crisis model.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and program development efforts.
• Support clinical protocol development and implementation.
• Perform other duties as needed to support program operations.

Requirements

Key Competencies

• Psychiatric diagnostic assessment and medication management.
• Crisis intervention and rapid clinical decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, high-acuity settings.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
• Commitment to patient-centered, equitable care delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program
• Current licensure as a PMHNP or PA-C in California
• Active DEA license with prescriptive authority
• Current BLS certification
• Minimum 1-3 years of psychiatric experience, including crisis, emergency, or inpatient settings strongly preferred
• Strong clinical skills in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and medication management
• Ability to make timely, sound clinical decisions in high-acuity environments
• Willingness to work 12-hour shifts within minimum expectations for daytime, overnight, weekend, and holiday availability

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certification in psychiatric specialty (PMHNP).
• Experience in crisis, emergency, inpatient, or community behavioral health settings.
• Experience working with both youth and adult populations.
• Experience treating individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
• Familiarity with California behavioral health systems and involuntary treatment processes.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred).
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs).