Registered Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position is responsible for assessing client physical and mental health status, providing client education, assisting the psychiatrist in providing medical services to identified clients, administering intramuscular (IM) medications, and providing a nursing perspective to Outpatient treatment team professionals including nursing, therapy and psychiatric.  Additional duties include assisting clients with acquiring prescription medications, documenting client progress toward recovery and serving as a client liaison to the physician through effective management of client walk-ins, phone consultation and scheduled appointments.  Also responsible for conducting comprehensive nursing assessments as indicated.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Accountability- Takes on assignments and accepts responsibility for outcomes; acts with good judgment and sound thinking; holds other accountable for their decisions and actions as warranted; complies with agency standards, policies and relevant government regulations.
2. Team Orientation- Successful in creating and promoting the cooperative effort among team members in order to identify and achieve common goals; promotes camaraderie; actively participates in conversations and activities that enhance morale and strengthen cohesiveness.
3. Integrity- Work is ethical, reliable, productive and effective; conversations and actions reflect the organization's mission and vision in a positive light and promote a favorable community perception; interactions are based on honesty and mutual respect.
4. Customer Satisfaction and Quality Services- Primary customers and secondary stakeholders report a high level of satisfaction with services; assures that the most effective services are provided in a respectful professional manner; actively seeks solutions to customer complaints, concerns, inquiries, etc.
5. Compassion- Demonstrates acceptance, respect and empathic understanding to all individuals touched by the organization (i.e., clients, colleagues, external customers); conveys hope and belief that people are not defined or limited by their disability.
6. Diversity- Uses awareness of cultural values and biases to work effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; demonstrates respect for individual differences; where appropriate, recruits/promotes/mentors persons with diverse cultural backgrounds to create a more diverse workforce.
7. Continuous Learning- Strives for self-improvement through continuing education; motivated to learn new things to benefit customers and the organization; shares knowledge and information with others.
8. Communication- Demonstrates effective written and verbal skills in interactions with clients, peers, supervisors, subordinates and external customers; promptly responds to requests, questions and concerns; maintains confidentiality in compliance with all policies and regulations.
9. Safety- Operates vehicles and other equipment safely; adheres to safety protocols; reports hazards and risks; behavior contributes to a safe and secure working environment.
10. Computer Literacy- Uses available information technology to efficiently record or analyze data and to communicate information; demonstrates proficiency in use of licensed software programs.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

1.  Clinical Knowledge & Skill- Utilizes experience, up-to-date nursing guidelines, recovery-oriented approaches and crisis intervention techniques to provide sound clinical services; collaborates effectively with program staff, fellow nurses, physicians and physician extenders to provide competent nursing services to clients; able to model and teach clients how to become active participants in recovery process.

2.  Assessment & Monitoring - Effectively conducts initial nursing and intake assessment with clients; closely monitors ongoing physical/mental status and appropriately addresses any significant changes; effectively documents client progress toward recovery through detailed progress updates and input into treatment and/or recovery plans; conducts comprehensive nursing assessment as indicated.

3.  Administration of IM Medications - Provides IM injections to scheduled clients in a safe, effective and accurate manner; documents and reports any changes in mental or physical health status to physician.

4.  Medication Monitoring / Teaching - Effectively provides support to clients regarding efficacy of current medications, changes in medication and any resulting consequences; provides clear medication teaching when appropriate; assists clients in acquiring medications through Patient Assistance Programs and/or completing prior authorizations for medications.    

5.  Licensing - Conducts and/or participates in activities which promote ongoing learning and professional development; maintains current PA RN licensure.

1. Documentation- Demonstrates effective management of documentation responsibilities by maintaining accurate records of all interactions with clients, other providers, vendors and representatives from external organizations; adheres to documentation guidelines as established by regulatory bodies and internal policies. 

7.  Performs All Other Duties as Assigned

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

1. Uses age appropriate and recovery focused language when speaking and interacting with children, adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.
2. Provides input into program planning that reflects an understanding of the needs and abilities of children, adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.
3. Demonstrates necessary knowledge of laws relating to mandated reporting of suspected child buse and exploitation of adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION LEVEL OF ACCESS:

MH Data Access Requirements Model - Registered Nurse

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Current licensure as Registered Nurse by State of Pennsylvania; experience working with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, and/or forensic issues preferred
2. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, organizational skills and the ability to effectively work with a team.
3. Strong clinical skills with working knowledge of mental health system and recovery principles.
4. Ability to effectively work with persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and forensic issues and encourage their participation with comprehensive treatment plans.
5. Act 33/34 Clearance and FBI Criminal Background Check.
6. Valid driver's license with access to a vehicle during scheduled work hours.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

All staff are required to participate in ongoing mandatory training while employed.  Training requirements are detailed in the Training Matrix which is maintained by the Professional Development Department.  Along with their supervisor, each staff person is responsible for reviewing the Training Matrix to determine individual training requirements and completing those requirements in a timely manner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimal physical exertion required. Job primarily consists of sedentary office work and verbal communication with co-workers and clients. Some duties related to client care require periodic light lifting, bending, pushing, etc.  Care should be taken to avoid repetitive motion injuries such as those experienced with extended computer keyboard use.  Local travel requires the operation of an automobile.

EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work sometimes under stressful situations brought on by deadlines. Must be able to work in an environment in which contact with persons with mental illness or mental retardation is a certainty. The nature of this position may bring the incumbent in contact with persons with communicable diseases, or put the incumbent in situations where communicable diseases are present.

PROBATION EXPECTATIONS:

The first 975 hours of employment is a formal probationary period. This is a time in which the immediate supervisor and other administrators make a determination as to whether the newly hired employee is appropriate for this position. Appropriateness is based on job skill, job knowledge, demeanor, ability to work as a team member, and output.

CUSTOMERS SERVED:

Incumbents in this position should consider the following as "customers": Consumers of services in the mental health programs; program supervisors; outside vendors, SBH administration, SBH Board of Directors and SBH funding sources.

ON THE JOB HAZARDS:

This position will require travel by motor vehicle. All dangers inherent in driving or riding in a motor vehicle are present. Exposure to commercial cleaning agents is likely. MSDS training is required. The nature of this position may cause contact with individuals who are HIV positive, have hepatitis or other communicable diseases. Training in universal precautions is required.  Exposure to second hand smoke is likely. 

HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A pre-employment physical check-up is required. Then, employee physical checkups are required every two years.