top of page
Therapy

Mental Health Nurse practitioner

What is a Mental Health Nurse practitioner?

A Mental Health nurse Practioner (MHNP) is the highest clinical qualification in Mental
Health Nursing. They provide holistic care by diagnosing, prescribing medication and
ordering tests with a strong focus on personalised and trauma informed support.

Scope of Practice:

  • Comprehensive mental health assessments

  • Diagnosis and management of mental health conditions

  • Initiation, prescribing, and review of psychotropic medications

  • Ongoing medication management

  • Delivery of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centred care

  • Provision of brief psychological interventions

  • Development and review of individualised care and relapse prevention plans

  • Crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning

  • Coordination of care with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and allied health professionals

  • Referral to appropriate services

  • Health promotion and early intervention strategies

Scope within NDIS:

  • Functional and psychosocial assessments to support NDIS access and planning

  • Preparation of comprehensive, evidence-based reports aligned with NDIA
    requirements

  • Support for individuals with psychosocial disability to improve independence and
    daily functioning

  • Development of recovery-oriented, goal-directed care plans

  • Capacity-building interventions (emotional regulation, coping strategies, medication
    education)

  • Collaboration with support coordinators, support workers, families, and carers

  • Contribution to NDIS plan reviews and progress reporting

  • Advocacy for participant rights and person-centred, recovery-focused care

  • Identification and escalation of clinical risks and deterioration

  • Integration of care across NDIS, primary care, and specialist mental health services

Scope within My Aged Care:

elder-care.png

  • Comprehensive mental health and cognitive assessments in older adults

  • Assessment and management of late-life depression, anxiety, behavioural and
    psychological symptoms

  • Screening for cognitive impairment and differentiation (e.g., delirium, dementia,
    depression)

  • Medication review with focus on polypharmacy and safety in older populations

  • Support for ageing in place through community-based mental health care

  • Collaboration with GPs, geriatricians, aged care providers, and families

  • Contribution to care planning within My Aged Care frameworks

  • Risk assessment including falls, delirium, and functional decline

  • Psychoeducation and support for carers and families

bottom of page