Can a psychiatric NP fill in for a social worker?

[Healthmed101]

If a social workers is out or they are waiting to hire a social worker for a position, can they fill it, or having it temporarily covered with a psych nurse practitioner since nurses can do case management and psych NP's can do psychotherapy?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Jules A]

If a social workers is out or they are waiting to hire a social worker for a position, can they fill it, or having it temporarily covered with a psych nurse practitioner since nurses can do case management and psych NP's can do psychotherapy?

I believe they technically can do the job but it doesn't make financial sense to have someone with prescribing rights do therapy and most NPs aren't willing to do do case management tasks. LCSW-Cs or LCPCs are usually compensated at a rate of less than 1/2 what a PMHNP should be making.