RN Acute, PRN (Crisis Center)

Clinical responsibilities

• Completes timely admissions according to diversion center policy and procedure while ensuring customer service as a priority.
• Evaluates needs and reports pertinent information gathered from admission to physician, nurses, and social workers as needed.
• Completes the discharge process for consumers according to policy and procedure for nurses on units.
• Plans, conducts and documents patient education provided to consumers, both individually and in group settings.
• Provides education to the consumer and family concerning treatment plans, compliance with medications and its side effects, disease management and other applicable topics.
• Completes medical and dietary consultations as needed.
• Communicates effectively with the physician and outside agencies as applicable regarding the consumer’s physical and mental condition.
• Initiates and implements the multidisciplinary treatment plan, coordinates with the multidisciplinary team and participates in the plan’s continued development.
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, Mindset, PRN medications), according to AltaPointe policies and procedures.
• Affixes assistance with personal care issues (bathing, toileting and other personal hygiene routines).
• Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit based on facility needs and as directed by the Nurse Manager.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Affixes assistance with seclusions and restraints per AltaPointe policy and procedure.
• Actively assists with hospital cost containment by accepting responsibility for time management and use of unit supplies.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult and child competencies.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.
• Serves as Charge Nurse as needed, overseeing routine task assignments of RNs, LPNs, Mental Health Technicians, MA’s and behavioral staff. Supervision and consultation
• Sets clinical supervision and consultation needed.
• 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 consumers’ privacy and confidentiality.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Affixes assistance with consumers and visitors as needed.
• Is sensitive to the consumers’ needs, expectations and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families.

Administrative and other related duties as assigned

• Participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Participates in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumers’ needs.
• Fulfills AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
• Maintains current state license and requirements for renewals, and attends required in-services and workshops.

Physical Requirements of the Job

• Frequent standing, sitting, and walking which are in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes.
• Occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
• Occasional need to be able to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
• Occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s own body weight on hips and legs. This position is maintained for several minutes.
• Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of one’s body.
• Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
• Occasionally, be able to lift up to 10 pounds from the floor to various levels, including from the floor to overhead occasionally during shift.
• Occasionally, be able to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in activities of daily living, as required.
• Occasionally, be able to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist.
• Strong grasp is needed to use keys to open doors throughout the facility, and to maintain constant contact with a consumer during a restraint procedure or with other hold techniques.
• Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during shift.
• At times therapy may be inside or outside the facility; therefore, some activities will dictate physical requirements for playing or games.

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge in adult specialty outlined below to be attained within six months of employment.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult and child populations.
• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Knowledge of growth and development of individuals as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of their development.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders and treatment.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in psychiatric care.
• Familiarity of psycho-pharmacy and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult populations.
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of instruction, teaching tools, educational methods appropriate for adult populations.
• Knowledge of family dynamics.
• Knowledge of effects and treatment of physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect issues.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.