Responsibilities

Primary Job Functions:

Clinical Responsibilities

• Completes Nursing Assessment as indicated by AltaPointe's Policy and Procedure
• Responds to consumers' requests for medication refills. Reviews charts for treatment compliance.
• Administers medication observing the six rights of medication administration and ordering of medications to the pharmacy
• Performs venipuncture for laboratory requests, drug screens, TB skin tests, monitors lab results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician
• Provides individual, family and group education regarding consumer's psychiatric illness
• Provides medication education for the consumer and family, including uses and potential side effects. Monitors consumers for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician/CRNP/RN
• Communicates effectively with the physician regarding the consumer's physical and mental condition
• Follows up on missed injections and documents in consumers record appropriately
• Completes admission procedures for consumers and updates accordingly to AltaPointe's Policy and Procedures. This process includes at a minimum: medical checklist, AIMS, vital signs, Medication List, and MARS is applicable
• Interacts with consumer and evaluates needs to ensure that proper in formation is reported during staffing with the treatment team
• May conduct infection control training for staff and consumers when indicated
• May provide HIV education
• When necessary provides nursing coverage to other Adult Outpatient programs within AltaPointe
• Interfaces with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participates in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, PMAB, Emergency Medications), according to AltaPointe Policy & Procedures
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Adheres to professional code of ethics
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies

In addition for ACT programs:

• Knowledge of ACT standards as set by DMH and AltaPointe policy
• Services primarily provided out in the community
• Teaches basic living skills as appropriate
• Assists ACT consumers with medical appointments, to include attendance at these appointments as needed
• Provides services to maintain consumer placement in least restrictive setting

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, types of consumer problems, treatment goals and services provided
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs, and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate
• Documents legibly
• Meets/Exceeding AltaPointe productivity standard

Courteous and respectful towards consumers, visitors and co-workers

• 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 and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm to consumers and families
• Works in a dependable, cooperative and positive manner with both program and other AltaPointe staff members

Administrative and Other related duties as Assigned

• 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 policies & procedures
• Maintains current State license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU's), and attends to required in-services and workshops

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will possess a current RN license to practice in the state of Alabama. Candidates must also have knowledge in adult psychiatric care and/or substance abuse/addictions, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult and child/adolescent population.
• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with adult and/or child/adolescent psychiatric care and /or substance abuse.
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult and/or child/adolescent and/or substance abuse population
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers and/or consumers with addictive disease as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults and/or children/adolescents with psychiatric disorders
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of psych rehab principles
• Understanding of behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco on the consumer and their significant others
• Basic Teaching and Training skills

In addition for SA programs

• Knowledge of the nature of addictions as a primary illness
• Knowledge of gender specific issues relative to addiction
• Knowledge of Medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive disease and other substance related disorders
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology, psychotropic medications and use of synthetic drugs for recovery

AltaPointe requires that all new employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. AltaPointe allows candidates who are not fully vaccinated at the time of hire a reasonable amount of time to obtain vaccinated status. This position requires vaccination against COVID-19 or, if applicable, an approved accommodation for religious or medical reasons.