Sunstone Therapies Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Rockville, MD · Full time

Apply for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

We exist to accelerate on-the-ground learning and operations necessary to approve and scale psychedelic therapies in the medical setting. The Sunstone team was brought together by shared compassion for those who suffer and a genuine wish to broaden their access to treatment.

Our backgrounds in medicine, business, and design provide us with unique perspectives and skills necessary to define the standards of patient experience.

Our values guide us in everything we do: Bring Forth Healing + Work with Rigor + Care for the Team + Learn and Grow + Innovate Boldly.

In service to Sunstone’s vision of Whole Person Healing for All, all of our team members play a key role in Sunstone’s ability to deliver on its vision with Love and Rigor.

Job Title: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Location: Rockville, MD

Schedule: onsite 5 days/week

Reports To: Practice Administrator

Supervises: n/a

Context: Sunstone Therapies is the leader in the delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the medical setting, focusing on the development and implementation of clinical trials today, and clinical delivery if and when therapies are approved. Right now, we have two sites with roughly 50 employees -- looking to build our team and expand to 2 more sites in the next 2 years, as well as begin delivering Ketamine Assisted Therapy. At Sunstone, our culture centers on love and rigor, prioritizing whole-person healing for all.

To be successful in this role in this growth stage start-up, the candidate must be a mentally flexible and detail-oriented self-starter and problem solver. They should be able to quickly shift projects and priorities to meet emerging needs, collaborate across departments, and align their approach with Sunstone’s values. Join us in making a profound impact in the realm of therapeutic research!

Scope: The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) serves as a Sub-Investigator on assigned clinical trials, supporting the Principal Investigator and Staff Psychiatrist/Sub-Investigator with participant eligibility, clinical assessment, safety monitoring, medication management, and protocol-required study activities. The role also administers and scores psychiatric assessments and provides direct clinical care as Sunstone’s ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy services develop. Anticipated allocation is primarily Sub-I/research responsibilities, with approximately 30–40% ratings and 10% ketamine care in year one, though priorities may shift based on clinical and research needs. This role requires strong judgment, flexibility, and comfort operating in a fast-changing environment. 

Job activities include but are not limited to:

Research / Sub-Investigator Responsibilities

• Conduct protocol-required psychiatric and medical assessments, including physical examinations, and support participant eligibility determinations.
• Monitor participant safety and evaluate, document, adjudicate, manage, and escalate adverse events and serious adverse events within delegated responsibilities.
• Provide clinical coverage for all study visits and dosing sessions, including assessment and management of emerging medical or psychiatric concerns.
• Support investigational product and medication management within scope of practice and PI delegation.

Psychiatric Rating Responsibilities

• Administer and score protocol-required psychiatric assessments using standardized interview and scoring procedures.
• Maintain reliability and consistency through required rater training, calibration, and quality assurance activities.
• Communicate rating-related questions, discrepancies, or clinical concerns to the appropriate study team members.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and other direct clinical care for Sunstone patients and prospective patients.
• Support the safe delivery and continued development of ketamine-assisted therapy and future psychedelic-assisted therapy services.
• Contribute clinical expertise to patient flow, safety pathways, clinical templates, training materials, and SOP development.

General Responsibilities

• Training & Licensure: Complete and maintain all required professional licenses, certifications, study-specific training, and other training necessary to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Protocol, SOP & Policy Compliance: Perform assigned duties in accordance with applicable clinical trial protocols, GCP requirements, Sunstone SOPs and policies, and other relevant clinical or regulatory requirements.
• Clinical & Research Documentation: Complete accurate and timely documentation for all patient and participant interactions. Research-related activities must meet applicable source documentation, study record, and regulatory requirements.
• Patient/Participant Care: Provide direct patient and participant care within scope of practice, assigned responsibilities, and applicable study protocols or clinical procedures.
• Recruitment & Pre-Screening: Support recruitment and pre-screening activities, including collection and review of relevant medical, psychiatric, medication, and demographic information.
• Collaboration: Coordinate closely with investigators, research staff, therapists, and clinical operations staff to support safe, consistent care and study conduct.
• Flexibility & Other Duties: Adapt to changing clinical, research, and operational priorities and perform other duties within scope of practice as assigned.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Current certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with valid state licensure.
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience or clinical trial experience in mental health.
• Prior experience administering scales in a research context.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in scoring.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to step in where needed across clinical and research operations while maintaining appropriate role boundaries and quality standards.
• Genuine interest in psychedelic-assisted care and commitment to high-quality, patient-centered work.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• MINI, SDS, and C-SSRS experience are preferred. 
• Prior experience working in or helping operationalize a ketamine clinic and/or PAT program (patient flow, screening norms, follow-up cadence, safety pathways) highly preferred.
• Familiarity with GCP and clinical trial documentation expectations (source, EDC, monitoring readiness) preferred.

Physical Requirements 

A large percentage of time performing computer work is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits

Sunstone Therapies offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.