Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum

2024-2025 Academic Year

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is excited to invite applications to apply for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) practicum program for the 2024-2025 academic year. This program is designed to give students enrolled in PMHNP graduate program clinical experiences working with students in a college mental health setting. CAPS offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of concerns such as academics, anxiety, body image, depression, relationships, substance use and more. CAPS is a multicultural, multidisciplinary, and multi-theoretical staff. We are committed to affirming diversity and seek to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone we serve.

Qualifications to Apply

The following qualifications are required to apply:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited psychiatric nurse practitioner program.
• Committed to social justice and multiculturalism, as evidenced by course work, community involvement or life experience.
• Ability to work well with college age students as well as racially and ethnically diverse populations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Flexibility and openness to delivering care through multiple modalities (telemedicine, in person sessions, group therapy, workshops).

Training

• Training will include an orientation period to CAPS (see below)
• The PMHNP Practicum clinical year will begin on Monday, August 26, 2024
• The PMHNP Practicium clinical year will end on Friday, May 9, 2025

The PMHNP Practicum program requires 16 hours (or two days) per week. There may be an option to do more hours or 2.5 days a week. This may be more than is required by your program but is an opportunity to graduate from your program with a higher level of clinical proficiency. Please keep in mind that it will be your responsibility to keep track of your hours to make sure you have completed the number of hours required by your program. 

All practicum students will be trained on the provision of telehealth services and it is possible that some of the practicum experience may be conducted remotely. All practicum students will observe and participate in initial psychiatric evaluations and follow up medication management appointments as well as workshops. Additional opportunities to gain experience in process group observation may also be available. Supervision will be provided primarily by MDs and NPs, however in special circumstances you may be supervised by another licensed clinician (PsyD, PhD, LPC, LCSW).

Below is an example of a typical training schedule:

16-18 hours per week plan

Didactic Training and Professional Development

Practicum students will participate in a biweekly practicum seminar. Topics covered in the past include case discussions, motivational interviewing, risk assessment and documentation, eating concerns and transcare. On alternative weeks, practicum students will have the opportunity to be in a DEI seminar. 

Optionally, practicum students are welcome to attend our All-Staff meetings and In-Service trainings, currently held every other Wednesday 9 a.m.–10 a.m. The day and time of these meetings for the 2024–2025 year is subject to change.

Orientation

The orientation is designed to acquaint all practicum students with CU Boulder's Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) policies and procedures, university regulations, ethical and service delivery guidelines and campus resources. All practicum students are required to attend orientation prior to the start of clinical service. The orientation period will consist of 5-10 days spread out across the weeks of Aug. 5 to Aug. 23, 2024. The specific days and times will be determined after the practicum student selection period in order to best coordinate with trainee availability. The specific days and times will be determined after the selection period.  

Additional Information

• Credentialing through Human Resources must be completed prior to starting the training program. Practicum students will also be expected to successfully complete a criminal background check.
• Time off will be given during University holidays and break periods. Additional time-off requests must be approved in advance by your clinical supervisor and the training coordinator. They will coordinate with you a plan to make up these hours in most cases. 
• Additional clinical hours may be arranged on a case-by-case basis, during breaks or following the successful completion of the training program.

To Apply

Please submit the following materials:

1. A cover letter: please discuss your specific interest in completing a practicum at Counseling and Psychiatric Services at CU Boulder and what you are hoping to learn from the experience.
2. A current curriculum vitae or resume.
3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your clinical work. One (1) letter must be from a clinical supervisor or someone knowledgeable of your clinical skills.

For full consideration, all application materials much be received by March 31, 2024. Late applications may be considered if space is available and on a case by case basis.

Individual interviews will be scheduled from mid to late April 2024.

Please submit applications and/or questions electronically to:

• Sara Bannon, PMHNP, Assistant Director of Psychiatry Training at Sara.bannon@colorado.edu