Nurses in the residential setting are responsible for administering medications, reviewing MARs to ensure medication management, deescalating or resolving crisis situations, and compliance with the Nurse Delegation Program.
- Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
- Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care
- Basic knowledge of medical terminology associated with adult psychiatric care
- Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult population
- Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and, interventions common to acute psychotic consumers as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practices
- Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders
- Knowledge of cultural diversity
- Successful completion of Medication Assistance Supervision (MAS)
- Knowledge of DMH/NDP program standards
- Knowledge of utilizing electronic health record
Primary Job Functions:
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Administers medications, observing the Seven Rights of medication administration and monitors consumers for potential side effects of medications and report findings to the physician.
- Provides medication education for the consumer and family, including uses and potential side effects.
- Reviews MAR daily to ensure appropriate medication management which includes timely refills and any necessary arrangements with medical staff for new prescriptions.
- Identifies psychiatric and medical needs of consumers and communicates effectively with the physicians to include taking off any orders and completing consults.
- Observes consumers behavior in groups and activities, interacts with consumers and evaluate needs to ensure that proper information is reported from shift to shift
- Interfaces with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participates in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan
- Monitors laboratory results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician
- Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation, including providing emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN medications)
- Conducts infection control training for consumers
- Ongoing compliance with the Nurse Delegation Program, including recertification requirements, including taking MAS calls
- Assists consumers with personal care issues (bathing, toileting, and other personal hygiene issues)
- Performs monthly MARs verifications and 24 hour chart checks.
- Conducts individual and group PHP trainings, activities, and education
Supervision and Consultation:
- Seeks clinical supervision and consultation needs
- Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
- Actively works to enhance clinical skills
- Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings
Clinical Record Keeping:
- Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
- Documents in a clear, concise manner all nursing services provided to the consumer and general observations
- Documentation shows that forms, logs, and other applicable written information are completed accurately and updated when appropriate
Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:
- Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
- Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
- Is pleasant and cooperative with others
- Assists consumers and visitors as needed
- Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
- Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
- Is gentle and calm with consumers and families
Administrative and Other related duties as Assigned:
- Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
- Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
- Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
- Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs
- Follows AltaPointe Policy & Procedures
- Maintains current State license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), and attends the required in-services and workshops
Physical Requirements of the Job:
- There is frequent standing while getting files, paperwork, and handing out medication.
- Sitting is frequent by nature and up to 5-10 minutes; however, extended sitting could be up to 1.5 to 3 hours for documentation.
- Walking various distances on grounds can be frequent and up to 300 feet to dispense medication.
- Squatting and/or lunging frequently to stock supplies and retrieve needed material from file cabinets and book shelves.
- Strong grasp is needed to handle large carts while retrieving consumer files from the Zeigler Outpatient building and lighter grasp is needed for stocking supplies which requires a force exertion of up to 10 pounds.
- Fine manipulation for writing, handling paperwork, and dispensing medications to consumers.
- Pushing and/or pulling force up to 1-5 pounds force, horizontally, to open file cabinets and place binders on book shelves.
- Lifting various ranges from the floor to overhead with weights up to 1-5 pounds frequently.
- Must lift 40-50lbs floor to waist occasionally to frequent.
- Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.