Location & Practice Overview

This opening is associated with Sacramento, California, and sits within Headlight’s outpatient behavioral health organization focused on psychiatric evaluation and ongoing treatment of mental health conditions.

Practice Setting Outpatient psychiatric and behavioral health practice
Location Sacramento, California
Organizational Environment Clinician-supported behavioral health group
Practice Scope Ambulatory mental health care delivery

Responsibilities

  • Perform psychiatric assessments, gather relevant clinical histories, and evaluate presenting symptoms and treatment needs.
  • Formulate diagnoses and create individualized treatment plans consistent with the nurse practitioner’s authorized scope of practice.
  • Prescribe medications when clinically indicated, monitor therapeutic response, and adjust treatment as appropriate.
  • Document assessments, clinical decisions, medications, and patient progress accurately in the electronic health record.
  • Provide patient education regarding conditions and treatment options and coordinate with other professionals to support continuity of care.

All clinical activity must align with applicable professional standards, organizational policies, and requirements for documentation and patient confidentiality.

Qualifications & Requirements

The position is intended for a prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who already holds the required credentials and psychiatric clinical experience.

Education
Master’s degree in nursing with a specialty in psychiatric nursing
Experience
At least 12 months of post-licensure experience in a psychiatric clinical setting
National Certification
Board certification through ANCC or AANP
State Licensure
Valid California Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner license
DEA Registration
Active DEA registration applicable to the prescribing practice
Technical Proficiency
Demonstrated ability to use electronic health record systems and common clinical software

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is calculated on a billed-hour basis. The applicable rate depends on whether the clinician holds California 103 NP status and therefore does not require the employer to arrange a collaborating physician.

  • $145 per billed hour for PMHNPs without California 103 status who require a collaborating physician arrangement
  • $155 per billed hour for PMHNPs with California 103 status who do not require a collaborating physician arrangement
  • Sick pay
  • Employee Assistance Program with confidential counseling resources and support
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
  • Credentialing support and access to clinical consultation groups

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Type Part-time
Weekly Availability 12–22 hours of availability per week
Scheduling Flexibility Flexible choice of working hours within the stated availability range
Work Arrangement Remote or hybrid; specific office attendance expectations require confirmation with the employer

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The role serves individuals receiving ongoing outpatient care for mental health and emotional concerns rather than acute inpatient treatment.

Care Level Outpatient behavioral health
Common Presentations Anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, and related mental health conditions
Clinical Trajectory Longitudinal outpatient management and follow-up
Patient Needs Assessment, medication support, and continuity of psychiatric care

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The position centers on the delivery of specialized outpatient psychiatric care, with particular emphasis on diagnostic evaluation and pharmacologic management of common mental health conditions.

Diagnostic Domain Evaluation of mental health and emotional disorders in the outpatient setting
Pharmacologic Focus Psychotropic medication selection, monitoring, and adjustment
Treatment Orientation Individualized, longitudinal outpatient psychiatric care
Supporting Clinical Activity Patient education integrated into ongoing treatment

Role Highlights

Distinctive features of this opening include its part-time structure and compensation differentiation based on California practice status.

  • Part-time model designed around 12–22 hours of weekly availability
  • Billed-hour rate that increases for clinicians holding California 103 NP status
  • Organizational support that reduces administrative burden related to billing, insurance, and credentialing

About Headlight

Headlight is a behavioral healthcare organization founded by psychiatrists. It operates as a clinician-oriented provider of mental health services, offering therapy and psychiatric care across multiple western U.S. states, including California.

Organization Type Behavioral health provider
Founding Background Established by psychiatrists
Service Profile Therapy, psychiatric services, and medication management
Geographic Footprint Multiple western U.S. states, including California
Operational Model Clinician-led care supported by administrative infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “per billed hour” mean for this position?
Compensation is tied to billed hours rather than total time spent on all work activities. The posting does not specify separate pay rates for non-billable tasks such as documentation or administrative work.
How does California 103 NP status affect the offered rate?
Headlight applies the higher billed-hour rate to clinicians who hold California 103 NP status and therefore do not require the organization to provide a collaborating physician arrangement. Clinicians without that status receive the lower rate.
Is in-office attendance required for the Sacramento-listed role?
Available information describes the arrangement as remote or hybrid. Exact expectations regarding any office days are not fully consistent across descriptions and should be confirmed directly with the employer.
Does this part-time role include medical, dental, or vision coverage?
The posting confirms sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and a 401(k) with company contribution. Eligibility for medical, dental, or vision insurance is not specified for the part-time arrangement.
Is familiarity with a particular EHR system required?
General proficiency with electronic health records is required. Experience with NextGen is preferred. The organization also references Blueprint AI as a tool used for session-note capture.
Is bilingual ability required?
English/Spanish bilingual ability is listed as helpful for serving patients who prefer Spanish but is not a mandatory requirement.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Sacramento, CA | Part-Time

In outpatient behavioral health settings, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners apply advanced nursing and psychiatric expertise to evaluate complex presentations, determine appropriate treatment pathways, and guide ongoing pharmacologic care. The role demands clinical judgment that balances diagnostic precision with careful monitoring of medication effects and patient response over time. Practitioners function within a defined scope of practice that includes independent assessment and prescribing authority when state requirements are met, while remaining integrated into broader systems of behavioral health support. Continuous documentation, patient education, and coordination with other clinicians form an essential part of safe, longitudinal care. This professional context underscores the specialized preparation and accountability expected of PMHNPs who manage mental health conditions outside of inpatient environments.

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