Essential Job Functions:

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  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 of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult population
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and, interventions common to acute psychotic consumers as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice
• 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 record

Primary Job Functions:

Clinical Responsibilities:

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  Administers medications, observing the Seven Rights of medication administration. Monitors consumers for potential side effects of medications and report findings to the physician
• Provides medication education for the consumer and family, including uses and potential side effects.
• Reviews MARs daily to ensure appropriate medication management which includes timely refills and any necessary arrangements with medical staff for new prescriptions
• Identifies psychiatric and medical needs and communicates effectively with the physicians to include completing of consults and taking off any orders.
• Observes consumers behavior, interacts with consumers and evaluate needs to ensure that proper information is reported from shift to shift
• Interfaces with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participates in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan
• Monitors laboratory results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation, including providing emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN Medications)
• Conducts infection control training for consumers
• Ongoing compliance with Nurse Delegation Program, including recertification requirements, including taking MAS call
• Assists consumers with personal care issues (bathing, toileting, and other personal hygiene issues)
• Ensures that AIMS is completed every 90 days, psychotropic consents are maintained, and annual TB skin tests are up to date.
• Performs monthly MAR verifications and 24 hour chart checks
• Conducts individual and group PHP trainings, activities, and educations.

Supervision and Consultation:

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  Seeks clinical supervision and consultation needs
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills
• Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings

Clinical Record Keeping:

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  Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents in a clear, concise manner nursing services provided to the consumer and general observations
• Documentation shows that forms, logs, and other applicable written information are completed accurately and updated when appropriate

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:

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  Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations an individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families

Administrative and Other related duties as Assigned:

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  Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs
• Complies with AltaPointe Policy & Procedures in a timely manner
• Maintains current state license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), and attends the required in-services and workshops

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.
• Walking various distances on grounds can be frequent and up to 300 feet to dispense medication.
• Squatting and/or lunging frequently to stock supplies and retrieve needed material from file cabinets and book shelves.
• Strong grasp is needed to handle large carts while retrieving consumer files from the Zeigler Outpatient building and lighter grasp is needed for stocking supplies which requires a force exertion of up to 10 pounds.
• Fine manipulation for writing, handling paperwork, and dispensing medications to consumers.
• Pushing and/or pulling force up to 1-5 pounds force, horizontally, to open file cabinets and place binders on book shelves.
• Lifting various ranges from the floor to overhead with weights up to 1-5 pounds frequently.
• Must lift 40-50lbs floor to waist occasionally to frequent.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.