Job Description

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We are seeking a Nurse Practitioner to join the team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). This is a full-time position with HHS. We also offer a strong opportunity for advancement, growth and development.

The Cherokee Mental Health Institute in Cherokee, Iowa, is seeking an energetic and talented Nurse Practitioner to provide medical and psychiatric services to the facility's patient population. CMHI's mission is to administer quality mental health services in a caring, supportive, and individualized atmosphere. CMHI is an acute psychiatric treatment facility within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and is located one hour East of Sioux City. The facility admits approximately 300-500 patients on an annual basis treating a wide array of mental health needs. The Nurse Practitioner will treat their assigned patients in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Conducts ongoing assessment including health and developmental history, psychosocial history, physical examination and diagnostic testing. Assesses, diagnoses, and treats medical and psychiatric problems. Initiates medical or nursing orders; interprets nursing and clinical assessments; implements advancements in patient care. Reviews, evaluates and documents patient response to care. Completes daily ward/patient rounds. Communicates effectively with patients, families, and other clinical staff who are involved in the patient's direct care. Works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to develop and carry out an individualized plan of care. Completes progress notes according to the level of care the patient is receiving and as per facility guidelines. This includes medication adjustments/changes, changes in diagnosis, mental status, medical/psychiatric issues, and progress towards goals set forth in the plan of care. Performs clinical duties such as admission rotations, on-call, committee assignments, in-service training, supervision or consultation with other disciplines, staff development, quality assurance, and other duties as assigned.

This position offers a salary range from $77,168.00 to $118,310.40 (depending on qualifications) along with additional compensation for on-call duties. This position shall provide a minimum of forty (40) hours of service per week, in addition to on-call service requirements as determined by the facility. A generous benefit package is also included along with an option for on-campus housing.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate
CMS for National Provider Identifier
IA Board of Professional Licensure
Registration with IA Board of Pharmacy
Registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

If you enjoy helping adults, children, and families connect with mental health and disabilities services and long-term care and treatment, then this is a great opportunity to consider.

CMHI provides inpatient treatment and acute psychiatric services. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans and support for children and adolescent patients to continue their education. Individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling and activities therapies might be included as well.

We have a great total compensation package, including:

• 
  Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

For additional information on benefits click here (Download PDF reader).
Please Note: Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services new vaccine mandate for healthcare workers (published on November 5, 2021 and affirmed by the United States Supreme Court on January 13, 2022), all potential employees of this facility must have received, at a minimum, the first dose of a primary series or a single dose vaccine OR have an approved religious or medical exemption (as determined by the agency) OR have documentation reflecting a temporary delay in vaccination (as determined by the agency in accordance with CDC allowances), prior to the start date. Candidates shall coordinate with agency staff to ensure all requirements are met before the individual provides any care, treatment or other services for the facility and/or its clients.

Cherokee Highlights

CMHI is located in Cherokee, Iowa, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River that winds through town, providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks for things like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Northwest Iowa.”

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. It is also 2 ½ hours from Des Moines, home to Wells Fargo Arena (a host site of NCAA Basketball and premier concerts), as well as Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest public skate venue. Additionally, Des Moines has one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to professional sports teams the Iowa Cubs, Iowa Wolves, Iowa Barnstormers and Iowa Wild. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Nursing and certification as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner or registered nurse anesthetist;

graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with satisfactory completion of a formal advanced practice educational program of study in a nurse practitioner program and appropriate clinical experience as approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)

Additional Qualification Requirements

Licensure as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) and registered as an ARNP by the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON). For additional information review the IBON Iowa Administrative Rules at 655-7.2(152).

The successful candidate must also successfully pass criminal background, abuse registry, OIG, EPLS, and National Sex Offender registry checks.

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