How does the residency function during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Due to pandemic related restrictions and precautions, much if not all of the residency will continue to be conducted remotely in the immediate future, via Zoom, telephone, email and other electronic means. All psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists and social workers at the Jewish Board conduct most if not all of their client appointments remotely, ideally by Zoom, but in some cases by phone if clients are unable to access Zoom; this will be the case with residents as well. However, residents will be expected to conduct clinical work in-person if necessary, e.g., if clients need injectable medications to be administered. Residents will also be expected to conduct in-person visits if and when pandemic related restrictions change and in person work is considered appropriate.
When does the residency start and end?
The residency has two start dates: every fall, and every spring (exact start dates can vary slightly based on factors like pandemic requirements, background checks, etc.). Regardless of exact start date, both fall and spring residents work for a full year as a resident.
Are residents different from PNP interns?
Residents are newly graduated PNPs, and are fully licensed clinicians. PNP interns are still in school and are not licensed.
Why should I apply to the residency, instead of a typical PNP job?
Compared to any newly hired PNP or psychiatrist, residents receive additional, more intensive training and supervision. Residents receive extra levels of supervision at their clinical sites; as part of this, residents will initially see a lower number of clients as part of helping them to better assess, diagnose, start and provide ongoing treatment to clients. This ramp-up approach also helps to avoid burn out and feeling overwhelmed.
In addition, residents develop the vision and leadership skills to provide expert care and tackle larger mental health issues:
- Residents take part in weekly didactic sessions to learn about cutting edge research and practices related to individual treatments and wider, systemic phenomena.
- Residents also take part in Quality Improvement (QI) projects, where they gain hands-on experience identifying and addressing larger trends related to mental health care. This gives residents the opportunity to develop their own QI projects, related to issues of particular interest to them.
How long of a commitment must I make?
After completing a year-long residency, residents are required to continue with The Jewish Board as a full time PNP for at least one additional year.
Are residents allowed to see clients independently? Does someone else need to prescribe medications for them?
Residents are fully licensed PNPs and are able to see clients independently and prescribe medications. However, as part of the residency, they will first seek the approval of their preceptor or mentor before initiating or continuing treatment.
What is a preceptor? Who else supervises residents?
The Preceptor is the residents’ supervisor when they are taking part in “precepted clinics,” where residents gradually build their own caseloads with the dedicated supervision and oversight of preceptors.
Residents also take part in “mentored clinics,” where they more quickly build their caseload. Mentors are PNPs and psychiatrists who continue working at the clinical site, with some minor modifications to their schedule to allow for supervision.
Finally, the Integrated Health Team (IHT), a leadership group of experienced PNPs and psychiatrists working at Jewish Board headquarters, directs the residency program. The IHT will provide overarching and individualized guidance, supervision and consultation to residents, preceptors, mentors and program directors and other staff, with regular feedback, evaluations and discussions between all parties.
What is telepsychiatry?
Residents provide care in both traditional, in-person settings, and through our telepsychiatry program, where providers meet with clients via internet-based audiovisual programs. Our telepsychiatry program has been operating since February 2019 with very positive feedback from our clients, so much so that telepsychiatry has expanded from one to five programs as of March 2020. Our 2019-2020 residents continue to provide care via telepsychiatry and have enjoyed this experience. Telepsychiatry is considered safe and effective. For example, the American Psychiatric Association fully supports it.
What kind of clients does The Jewish Board serve?
There is no one type of client we serve in our network of mental health clinics across the five boroughs. We work with very young children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Our clients are of every culture, race, sexual identity, gender identity, and cognitive ability. This diversity helps make your experience in our PNP Residency program both challenging and immensely rewarding.