RN Outpatient, Substance Use (Mobile)

Primary Job Functions

Provide direct patient care, evaluate outcomes, consult with other specialists as required and adjust nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.

Assess, plan, implement and educate patient/family

• Maintain accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses
• Identify and address psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patient
• Respond to patients’ requests for medication refills. Reviews charts for treatment compliance. Administer medication observing the seven rights of medication administration and ordering of medications to the pharmacy
• Perform venipuncture for laboratory requests, drug screens, TB skin tests, etc., monitors lab results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician
• Administer screening instruments as needed/indicated
• Provide medication education for the patient and family, including uses and potential side effects. Monitor patients for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician/provider.
• Communicate effectively with the physician/provider regarding the patient’s physical and mental condition.
• Follow up on missed injections and documents in patients record appropriately
• Interact with patients and evaluate needs to ensure that proper information is reported during staffing with the treatment team
• Conduct infection control training for staff and patients when indicated to include HIV education
• Interface with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participate in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Provide emergency care as needed (CPR, Mindset, Emergency Medications), according to AltaPointe Policy & Procedures. Demonstrate the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Adhere to professional code of ethics.
• Effectively demonstrate the application of adult specific competencies.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates will possess a current RN/LPN license to practice in the state of Alabama.
• Candidates must also have knowledge in adult psychiatric care, substance use/addictions, medical care as outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment
• Knowledge of psychiatrics, substance use, and primary nursing care.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of substance use disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of medical illnesses in the adult population
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology, especially those terms associated with adult psychiatric care, substance use, and primary care
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult psychiatric, substance use, and primary care
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic patients and/or patients with addictive disease as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of trauma informed care principles
• Understanding behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco on the patient and their significant others
• Basic Teaching and Training skills
• Knowledge of the nature of addictions as a primary illness
• Knowledge of gender specific issues related to addiction
• Knowledge of Medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive diseases and other substance related disorders
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology, psychotropic medications and use of synthetic drugs for recovery