Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (On-Call)

Purpose of Role

The On-Call Psychiatric Provider role provides consultative psychiatric support to the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier (MHAST) Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center (SCSC). This role is designed to ensure timely access to psychiatric expertise for clinical staff while maintaining the SCSC’s supportive, voluntary, and non-intensive service model.

This role fulfills NYCRR Part 600 requirements for access to psychiatric consultation and does not constitute ongoing psychiatric treatment services.

Program Context

The SCSC is a Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center under NYCRR Part 600. Services focus on short-term stabilization, observation, peer support, and linkage to community care for individuals who do not pose a likelihood of serious harm.

• No routine prescribing, medication initiation, or medication management
• No prescriber-led intake or treatment planning
• Services are voluntary and non-intensive

Core Responsibilities

The On-Call Psychiatric Provider will:

• Provide telephonic psychiatric consultation to SCSC clinical staff as needed
• Support clinical decision-making related to risk, stabilization, and disposition
• Offer consultation for complex presentations or clinical uncertainty
• Provide timely response to consultation requests
• Collaborate with SCSC leadership as needed for quality or safety concerns

The On-Call Psychiatric Provider will not:

• Serve as a primary treating clinician
• Provide ongoing treatment services
• Routinely prescribe or manage medications
• Replace Mental Hygiene Law designees or law enforcement authority

Availability & Response Expectations

• Respond by phone within 15 minutes of notification
• In-person response, when clinically indicated and requested by MHAST, is expected within 60 minutes
• In-person response is expected only in limited circumstances and is not a routine component of the role
• Consultations are primarily telephonic

Coverage Model

• Providers will participate in a shared on-call rotation
• The rotation schedule will be developed based on provider availability and interest, with coverage assigned in defined blocks (e.g., weekly)
• One provider will be designated as on call at any given time
• Coverage is consultative and low-volume by design

Compensation

On-Call Stipend

• Flat weekly stipend for each assigned week of coverage (regardless of call volume)

Additional Compensation

• Per completed telephonic consultation
• Per in-person response, when requested and agreed upon

(Specific rates and details provided upon inquiry)

Engagement Type

• Independent contractor (1099)

Qualifications

• NYS licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Psychiatrist
• Experience in outpatient, crisis, or consultative psychiatric settings preferred
• Familiarity with community-based behavioral health services a plus
• Ability to provide calm, consultative support in time-sensitive situations

Nature of Role

This role is designed to provide clinical consultation and support, not day-to-day psychiatric operations.

Clear scope boundaries are essential to preserve the supportive, non-medical nature of the SCSC and ensure sustainability of the model.