Substance abuse assessment, treatment and referrals will be provided to those recently released from state prisons through the Day Reporting Center in the Alabama Pardons and Parole office.  Former inmates come typically everyday to receive services such as GED preparation, substance abuse and mental health treatment, or assistance with employment. 

Primary Job Functions:

Clinical responsibilities.

• Facilitate Moral Reconation Groups for participants of the Day Reporting Center
• Provide didactic groups designed to teach skills and monitor consumer progress in recovery and re-entry
• Provide monitoring services to consumers towards progress/achievement of goals.
• Effectively collaborates with team members and other service providers in the delivery of clinical services.
• Assist in evaluating consumers for discharge planning
• Effectively interacts and corresponds with Alabama pardons and parole staff
• Adheres to professional code of ethics
• Provides medication monitoring all DRC locations as needed for telehealth appointments by being present with clients at the Day Reporting Centers in Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville as needed. Will be required to drive to those locations as needed (mileage reimbursed by agency).
• Responds to consumers’ requests for medication refills. Reviews charts for treatment compliance.  
• Administers medication observing the seven rights of medication administration and ordering of medications to the pharmacy
• Performs venipuncture for laboratory requests, drug screens, TB skin tests, etc., monitors lab results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician
• Provides medication education for the consumer and family, including uses and potential side effects. Monitors consumers for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician/CRNP/RN.
• Communicates effectively with the physician regarding the consumer’s physical and mental condition.
• Follows up on missed injections and documents in consumers record appropriately
• Completes admission procedures for consumers and updates accordingly to AltaPointe’s Policy and Procedures. This process includes at a minimum: medical checklist, AIMS, vital signs, Medication List, and MARS if applicable
• Documents on, Updates, and reconciles MARS if applicable
• Interacts with consumer and evaluates needs to ensure that proper in formation is reported during staffing with the treatment team
• May conduct infection control training for staff and consumers when indicated
• May provide HIV education
• When necessary provides nursing coverage to other Adult Outpatient programs within AltaPointe
• Interfaces with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participates in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, PMAB, Emergency Medications), according to AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies.

In addition, for Medication Assisted treatment (MAT):

• May conduct observed same sex random Urine Analysis when necessary.
• May administer injectable MAT treatment medications for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
• Monitors new intakes for adverse suggest adverse MAT medication reactions.

Supervision and consultation.

• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills

Clinical record keeping.

• Document services provided in a timely manner per AltaPointe policy
• Documents in a clear, concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals and services provided.
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate.
• Document legibly.
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards

Courteous and respectful 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 to consumers and families.
• Works in a dependable, cooperative and positive manner with both program and other AltaPointe staff members

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.
• Complies with AltaPointe policies & procedures.
• Maintains current State license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), and attends to required in-services and workshops.

Qualified candidates will possess a current LPN license to practice in the state of Alabama. Certification in Moral Reconation Therapy within one month of employment or the earliest available training provided by Correctional Counseling Inc.  Candidates must also have knowledge in adult psychiatric care and/or substance abuse/addictions, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult and child/adolescent population.

• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with adult and/or child/adolescent psychiatric care and /or substance abuse.
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult and/or child/adolescent and/or substance abuse population
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers and/or consumers with addictive disease as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults and/or children/adolescents with psychiatric disorders

• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of psych rehab principles
• Understanding of behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects

of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco on the consumer and their significant others

• Basic Teaching and Training skills

In addition for SA programs, including MAT services:

• • Knowledge of the nature of addictions as a primary illness
  • Knowledge of gender specific issues relative to addiction
  • Knowledge of Medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive disease and other substance related disorders
  • Familiarity of psychopharmacology, psychotropic medications and use of synthetic drugs for recovery
  • Knowledge of opiate substitution therapy and its expected clinical effect (prevent withdrawal symptoms, reduce or eliminate craving, and block the effect of any other illicit or self-administered opiate.