RN Residential (PRN)

Responsibilities

• Administer medications, observing the Seven Rights of medication administration.
• Monitor consumers for potential side effects of medications and report findings to the physician.
• Provide medication education for the consumer and family, including uses and potential side effects.
• Review MARs daily to ensure appropriate medication management, including timely refills and arrangements for new prescriptions.
• Identify psychiatric and medical needs and communicate effectively with physicians, including completing consults and taking off orders.
• Observe consumer behavior, interact with consumers, and evaluate needs to ensure proper information is reported from shift to shift.
• Interface with the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in the development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Monitor laboratory results and report all abnormal findings to the physician.
• Recognize elements of a crisis state and deescalate or resolve situations, including providing emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN Medications).
• Conduct infection control training for consumers.
• Maintain ongoing compliance with the Nurse Delegation Program, including recertification requirements and taking MAS call.
• Assist consumers with personal care issues (bathing, toileting, and other personal hygiene).
• Ensure AIMS is completed every 90 days, psychotropic consents are maintained, and annual TB skin tests are up to date.
• Perform monthly MAR verifications and 24-hour chart checks.
• Conduct individual and group PHP trainings, activities, and education.
• Seek clinical supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accept and employ suggestions for improvement and actively work to enhance clinical skills.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• Document in a timely fashion per policy, ensuring clear, concise, and accurate records of nursing services and observations.
• Maintain courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors, and co-workers.
• Treat consumers with care, dignity, and compassion, respecting privacy and confidentiality.
• Actively participate in Performance Improvement activities and committees as required.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner and access appropriate community resources according to consumer needs.
• Comply with policies and procedures, maintain current state license and requirements for renewals (e.g., CEUs), and attend required in-services and workshops.

Requirements

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population.
• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology associated with adult psychiatric care.
• Familiarity with psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications in the adult population.
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as non-violent crisis intervention practices.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Successful completion of Medication Assistance Supervision (MAS).
• Knowledge of DMH/NDP program standards.
• Knowledge of utilizing electronic health records.
• Must be a current RN in the state of Alabama.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing for tasks such as retrieving files, paperwork, and handing out medication.
• Frequent sitting, typically for 5-10 minutes at a time, with extended sitting up to 1.5 to 3 hours for documentation.
• Frequent walking up to 300 feet to dispense medication.
• Frequent squatting and/or lunging to stock supplies and retrieve materials from file cabinets and bookshelves.
• Strong grasp needed to handle large carts while retrieving consumer files; lighter grasp for stocking supplies, requiring force exertion up to 10 pounds.
• Fine manipulation for writing, handling paperwork, and dispensing medications.
• Pushing and/or pulling force up to 1-5 pounds horizontally to open file cabinets and place binders on shelves.
• Frequent lifting of weights up to 1-5 pounds from the floor to overhead.
• Occasional to frequent lifting of 40-50 pounds from floor to waist.