RN Outpatient, Foley Child Outpatient

Responsibilities

Primary Job Functions:

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provides direct patient care, evaluate outcomes, consult with other members of the care team as required, adjusting nursing care, if indicated.
• Provides individual and family education regarding patient’s psychiatric illness and medications, including uses and potential side effects.
• Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation, including patient histories, conditions, treatments, and responses.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.
• Completes the assessment process accurately and promptly for patients, including at minimum medical checklist, vital signs, medication list, AIMS when required, and any indicated screenings.
• Responds to patient phone messages, including requests for medication refills or adjustments, questions regarding treatment, or other concerns; documents these interactions promptly and accurately.
• Completes prior authorization forms in a timely manner.
• Maintains sample log and inventory according to policy and procedures.
• Administers medications, observing the seven rights of medication administration.
• Ensures injections are ordered for delivery prior to injection appointments, including SU medications.
• Monitors patients for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician.
• Follows up on missed appointments and documents in patients’ records.
• Complete urine drug screens, pregnancy tests, and breathalyzer tests as needed for SU appointments, informing treatment team of results.
• Communicates effectively with the physician regarding the patient’s physical and mental condition.
• Interfaces actively and cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team to assist in the development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Monitors laboratory results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician.
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN medications), according to the AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of nursing competencies.
• When necessary, provides nursing coverage to other adult outpatient programs within Baldwin County.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.

 Supervision and Consultation:

• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation needs.
• 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 regarding types of patient problems, treatment goals, and services provided
• Completes all required forms, logs, notes and other applicable documentation promptly and accurately.
• Writes legibly on handwritten documents.
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards.

  Courteous and Respectful Attitudes Towards Patients, Visitors and Coworkers:

• Treats patients with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Respects patient’s privacy and confidentiality through knowledge of and strict abidance to HIPAA standards.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assists patients and visitors as needed.
• Does not allow personal values to inhibit the ability to relate to and care for others.
• Is sensitive to the patient’s needs, expectations, and individual differences.
• Is gentle and calm to patients and families.
• Works in a dependable, cooperative, and positive manner with program and AltaPointe staff members.

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees, when required.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to patient needs.
• Follows AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
• Maintains current state license and requirements for renewals (i.e., CEUs).
• Attends to required in-services and workshops.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements of the Job: 

• There is frequent standing while getting files, paperwork, and handing out medication.
• Sitting is frequent by nature and up to 5-10 minutes; however, extended sitting could be up to 1.5 to 3 hours for documentation.
• Squatting and/or lunging frequently to stock supplies and retrieve needed material from file cabinets and bookshelves.
• Fine manipulation for writing, handling paperwork, and dispensing medications to patients.
• Pushing and/or pulling force up to 1-5 pounds force, horizontally, to open file cabinets and place binders on bookshelves.
• Lifting various ranges from the floor to overhead with weights up to 1-5 pounds frequently.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Current RN license to practice in the state of Alabama; valid driver’s license; reliable transportation; knowledge in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric psychiatric care and/or substance abuse/addictions, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric populations.
• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Knowledge of growth and development as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of patient development.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with psychiatric care.
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.

• Basic knowledge of appropriate educational methods for patients with psychiatric disorders.

• Knowledge of family dynamics and parenting issues.
• Knowledge of effects and treatment of physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect issues.
• Understanding of behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, on the patient and their significant others.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.