Children's Outpatient Services provides treatment for children and adolescents and their families and is intended to improve and maintain a child’s or an adolescent’s stability in the community. Treatment focuses on problem resolution, symptom reduction, stabilization and/or prevention of movement to a higher level of care. Services include individual, family and group therapy, medication evaluation and management, case management, in home intervention, case consultation and summer day treatment services. The type of treatment is highly variable and depends upon the individual’s existing symptoms and developmental level.

Primary Job Functions:

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Assists with the completion of the assessment process for consumers including but not limited to the following: Medical Checklist/Physical Health/Nursing screening, Consumer/Family Education screening, Medication Checklist, Medication List, Suboxone assessment, height/weight, AIMS and vital signs as applicable.
• Administers medications, observing the Six Rights of medication administration
• Provides education regarding consumer’s psychiatric illness.
• 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.
• Communicates effectively with the physician regarding the consumer’s physical and mental condition
• 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
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN medications), according to the AltaPointe Policy & Procedures
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards
• Effectively demonstrates the application of nursing competencies
• Adheres to professional code of ethics

 Supervision and Consultation:

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

  Clinical Record Keeping:

• Documents in a timely fashion 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
• Documents legibly

  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 to consumers and families

5. 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 to 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
• Squatting and/or lunging frequently to stock supplies and retrieve needed material from file cabinets and book shelves
• 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.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications:

Possesses current RN’s license to practice in the state of Alabama. 

Knowledge in child/adolescent specialty, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric populations
• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care
• Knowledge of growth and development as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of consumer’s development
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with psychiatric care
• Familiarity of psycho-pharmacy and the use of psychotropic medications
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and, interventions common to acute psychotic as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice
• Basic knowledge of appropriate educational methods
• Knowledge of family dynamics and parenting issues
• Knowledge of effects and treatment of physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect issues
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of standards for the Nurse Delegation Program