LPN/RN Outpatient, ACT Team

Overview

Adult Outpatient Programs provide the least restrictive level of care where adults may receive clinical interventions aimed at decreasing existing signs and symptoms. Outpatient treatment focuses on recovery, problem resolution, symptom reduction, stabilization and/or prevention of movement to a higher level of care. Treatment varies widely and depends upon the consumer’s presenting symptoms.

Responsibilities

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 seven 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 if applicable
• Documents on, Updates, and reconciles MARS if applicable
• Interacts with consumer and evaluates needs to ensure that proper information 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. For Psychopharm consumers, the nurse will create and update the treatment plan as needed.
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, Mindset, 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

 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, addresses treatment plan goals and objectives and progress regarding those goals/objectives and services provided in the direct service record
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs, and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate
• Documents legibly
• Meets 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

Current RN license to practice in the State of Alabama; valid driver license; reliable transportation; 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 population.

• Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with adult psychiatric care and /or substance abuse.
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult 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 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