Registered Nurse (RN) - Psychiatric Subacute

About the role

Volunteers of America, Utah is hiring a PRN Registered Nurse for our 20-bed psychiatric subacute facility at Creekside Stabilization Center. Subacute provides 24-hour, medically monitored care for adults who are stepping down from a psychiatric hospital or state hospital stay, or stepping up from outpatient care. Some patients need a detox component. All patients are admitted voluntarily. Expected length of stay is about 5 days. Working with the team APRN, you will manage medications, monitor for medical complications, and help patients stabilize for transition to a less restrictive level of care.

Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Our mission is to provide community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. Our programs serve people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness. We encourage all who are passionate about making a difference, including individuals with lived experience, to apply.

The Registered Nurse works in conjunction with the team APRN to organize and manage the system of administering medication; deliver medication administration and medical services; and provide a range of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• Manage the medication system with the team psychiatrist or APRN, including administering medications and medical services
• Arrange required lab work and complete necessary documentation for the medication system
• Keep clients current on labs as needed
• Screen and monitor clients for medical problems and medication side effects, and educate clients and team members about side effects
• Monitor withdrawal for patients with a detox component, including CIWA-Ar and COWS assessments
• Monitor medication safety for QTc, lithium, valproate, and clozapine, and check for drug interactions
• Screen new admissions for high-risk factors, complete initial assessments, and assist with other intake processes
• Complete medical and medication reconciliation for patients transferring from psychiatric hospitals
• Coordinate services with other medical professionals, including pharmacy staff, medication representatives, and other treatment providers
• Work with clients to build strategies that help them take medications as prescribed, such as reminders and individualized routines
• Support discharge and step-down planning with the team and receiving providers
• Complete timely, accurate documentation that meets program requirements
• Take part in daily staff meetings and treatment planning reviews
• Train staff, clients, and others on health and medication topics as needed
• Attend work on a regular and predictable basis

Secondary Duties

• Maintain professional relationships with referral sources, community figures, and other professionals
• Maintain professional skills and continuing education requirements through conferences, workshops, courses, and professional reading approved by the Program Manager
• Demonstrate familiarity with and adherence to Utah laws on confidentiality and mandatory reporting
• Conduct professional life in accordance with the standards of the discipline and agency clinical policies and procedures
• Stay current on behavioral health trends, including comorbid mental health issues, psychopharmacology advances, and evidence-based practices
• Perform other functions as necessary or assigned

Requirements

• Current Utah RN license
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills
• Sound judgment within the scope of the position, with the ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and agency policies
• Ability to maintain professionalism and adapt to change
• Organized, detail-oriented, and self-directed
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office
• Ability to interact professionally with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public
• Willingness to accept supervision and direction
• Ability to become CPR and First Aid certified
• Ability to pass a Utah DHS Office of Licensing background screening and pre-employment drug screen

Qualifications

• Experience in a psychiatric hospital, subacute, or other medically monitored psychiatric setting
• Experience managing alcohol or opioid withdrawal
• Experience monitoring patients on lithium, clozapine, or other medications that require lab monitoring
• Experience working with individuals who have serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health savings account
• 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%)
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly)
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off

Pay

$35 – $40 per hour DOE/DOQ, plus a $2/hr differential for night shifts. On-call pay: $3/hr for each on-call hour. When called in, you are paid your regular rate for the hours worked.

Schedule

PRN and part-time positions with 12-hour shifts. There is a preference for weekend overnight shifts. In addition to scheduled shifts, nurses are required to be available to come in when a staff member calls out or does not show up and alternate coverage cannot be found. Based on current staffing, on-call assignments are expected to be about 5 to 6 days per month.

Physical Demands

Work is performed in a 24-hour medically monitored psychiatric subacute facility. The role requires moving around the unit and interacting with clients during 12-hour shifts, and may involve extended computer use.