Licensed Practical Nurse; Psychiatry

Job Summary

Under direction of the Psychiatric Nurse Supervisor and working in an integrated model, the nurse is responsible for contributing to the Behavioral Health Urgent (BHUC) Care and Walk in Medication Assisted Treatment (WinMAT) clinics. The nurse provides nursing care visits, including long-acting injection (LAI) treatments, health maintenance, disease management, and symptom management. The nurse promotes healthy lifestyles and independence.

Job Qualifications

• An unencumbered Practical Nurse license through the state of Ohio
• One (1) year experience working with adults with severe mental illness
• CPR certification and non-violent crisis intervention training (within 60 days of hire)

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide Licensed Practical Nurse Care appointments for patients for purposes of administering LAIs and bridge appointments
• Collect objective and subjective data to contribute to assessment of patient care needs to aid in the identification of physical status, mental status, and psychiatric symptoms including psychotic symptoms and safety factors
• Refer for caseworker and or counseling when appropriate
• Contribute to the assessment of medication adherence
• Review patient’s medication for refill needs
• Manage the medication system, administer, and document medication treatment
• Screens and monitors patients for medical problems/side effects
• Collaborate with shared appointment with provider, especially if the patient is not doing well or needs med change or dose change or having side effects
• Aid patients with scheduling with a Primary Care Physician (PCP)
• Coordinate, implement, and administer intramuscular (IM) injections
• Obtain specimens including blood and urine for ordered drug screen for any patient that is on a medication that requires ongoing monitoring
• Communicate and coordinate services with other medical providers
• Engage in health promotion, prevention, and education activities (i.e. identifies risky behaviors and attempts behavior change)
• Provide comprehensive medication education and to monitor for side effects and the effectiveness of medications
• Aid patients in developing a system to assure medication compliance
• Involves family and/or significant others as needed and requested by the patient
• Education other team members to help them monitor psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects
• Develop strategies to maximize the taking of medications as prescribed (e.g. behavioral tailoring, development of individual cues and reminders)
• Aid patients in obtaining medications through medication assistance programs, as needed
• Participate in clinical team meetings to assure appropriateness and coordination of care
• Provide consultation services regarding psychiatric and medical difficulties, as necessary
• Maintain organization and safety regarding medications by storing and wasting them according to policy
• Perform shift management in coordination with other team members according to established policies and procedures
• Provide triage line coverage
• Participate in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings

Skills

• Nursing Process—Delivers holistic, patient-focused care and contribution to assessment, outcomes/planning, implementation and evaluation
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services
• Active Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• Time Management—Managing one's own time and the time of others
• Active Learning—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Oral Comprehension—The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Oral Expression—The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
• Values Diversity—Collaborates with and involves others, demonstrating a respect for divergent viewpoints; interacts well with diverse people and groups, thereby contributing to an environment that is equitable, inclusive, and cooperative

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• This job operates in an outpatient, ambulatory clinic environment
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment
• The employee is regularly required to speak and hear
• The employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms
• It requires the use of fine motor skills
• May be required to stoop and bend
• The incumbent in this position may be exposed to infectious blood and body fluids and airborne pathogens
• To control the risks associated with such contact, persons in this role are required to use personal protective equipment as outlined in our safety programs
• Travel and work outside of normal hours may be required for meetings, presentations, trainings and other events