Responsibilities:
Primary Job Functions:
Clinical Responsibilities:
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Provides direct patient care, evaluate outcomes, consult with other members of the care team as required, adjusting nursing care, if indicated.
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Provides individual and family education regarding patient’s psychiatric illness and medications, including uses and potential side effects.
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Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation, including patient histories, conditions, treatments, and responses.
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Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.
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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.
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Responds to patient phone messages, including requests for medication refills or adjustments, questions regarding treatment, or other concerns; documents these interactions promptly and accurately.
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Completes prior authorization forms in a timely manner.
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Maintains sample log and inventory according to policy and procedures.
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Administers medications, observing the seven rights of medication administration.
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Ensures injections are ordered for delivery prior to injection appointments, including SU medications.
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Monitors patients for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician.
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Follows up on missed appointments and documents in patients’ records.
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Complete urine drug screens, pregnancy tests, and breathalyzer tests as needed for SU appointments, informing treatment team of results.
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Communicates effectively with the physician regarding the patient’s physical and mental condition.
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Interfaces actively and cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team to assist in the development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
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Monitors laboratory results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician.
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Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN medications), according to the AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
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Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
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Effectively demonstrates the application of nursing competencies.
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When necessary, provides nursing coverage to other adult outpatient programs within Baldwin County.
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Adheres to professional code of ethics.
Supervision and Consultation:
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Seeks clinical supervision and consultation needs.
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Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
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Actively works to enhance clinical skills.
Clinical Record Keeping:
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Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
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Documents in a clear, concise manner regarding types of patient problems, treatment goals, and services provided
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Completes all required forms, logs, notes and other applicable documentation promptly and accurately.
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Writes legibly on handwritten documents.
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Meets AltaPointe productivity standards.
Courteous and Respectful Attitudes Towards Patients, Visitors and Coworkers:
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Treats patients with care, dignity, and compassion.
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Respects patient’s privacy and confidentiality through knowledge of and strict abidance to HIPAA standards.
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Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
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Assists patients and visitors as needed.
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Does not allow personal values to inhibit the ability to relate to and care for others.
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Is sensitive to the patient’s needs, expectations, and individual differences.
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Is gentle and calm to patients and families.
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Works in a dependable, cooperative, and positive manner with program and AltaPointe staff members.
Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:
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Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
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Actively participates in AltaPointe committees, when required.
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Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
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Accesses appropriate community resources according to patient needs.
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Follows AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
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Maintains current state license and requirements for renewals (i.e., CEUs).
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Attends to required in-services and workshops.
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Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements of the Job:
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There is frequent standing while getting files, paperwork, and handing out medication.
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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.
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Squatting and/or lunging frequently to stock supplies and retrieve needed material from file cabinets and bookshelves.
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Fine manipulation for writing, handling paperwork, and dispensing medications to patients.
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Pushing and/or pulling force up to 1-5 pounds force, horizontally, to open file cabinets and place binders on bookshelves.
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Lifting various ranges from the floor to overhead with weights up to 1-5 pounds frequently.
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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:
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Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric populations.
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Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
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Knowledge of growth and development as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of patient development.
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Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with psychiatric care.
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Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications
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Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
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Basic knowledge of appropriate educational methods for patients with psychiatric disorders.
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Knowledge of family dynamics and parenting issues.
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Knowledge of effects and treatment of physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect issues.
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Understanding of behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, on the patient and their significant others.
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Knowledge of cultural diversity.