Nurse

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: RN - CHARGE NURSE or CRISIS UNIT NURSE

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT

SPECIAL POPULATIONS:

SMI Substance Abuse DD

LINES OF AUTHORITY: This position is supervised by the Director of Nursing.

POSITION SUMMARY: Uses accepted nursing practices to provide for the care and treatment of inpatient Behavioral Health patients. Supervision of ChangePoint Integrated Health personnel is required as directed. Provides crisis intervention treatment; coordinates all unit activities; administers medications; interacts on a continuous basis with ChangePoint Psychiatric Hospital clinical and administrative personnel and oversees milieu activities.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Adhere to personnel policies and comply with agency requirements for

ethical and professional behaviour.

2. Implement all physician orders.

3. Administer medications, monitor and record effects or side effects.

4. Administer, with assistance, restraints and seclusion of patients when

needed.

5. Record/report any unusual incidents.

6. CSU Nurse - Provide screening to all clients within 30 minutes of admission.

7. Assist in unplanned changes in nursing schedule to ensure personnel coverage as directed.

8. Able to start and complete Nursing Assessments.

9. Provide patient education.

10. Charge Nurse - Assure that program schedule, including milieu activities, is followed by the shift, assigns tasks to personnel in order to complete shift activities.

11. Provide direct nursing care to patients.

12. Provide on-call as assigned.

13. Must participate in quality management and quality improvement activities.

14. This position requires the positive and active support of the company, the patient, the customer and the co-worker.

15. Promotes quality and safety to help maintain a safe and pleasant work

environment follows safety regulations, and actively contributes towards a

safe workplace.

16. Perform other duties as assigned by the CSU Manager, Program Director, Director of Nursing, Hospital Administrator or designee depending on location work.

PRIMARY CONTACTS:

Constant interaction with ChangePoint Integrated Health personnel and customers.

Frequent interaction with referral sources, and family members.

Possible Frequent contact with outside provider service agencies.

POSITION REQUISITES:

Qualifications And Experience

Required:

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

Current Arizona license for RN.

Current Arizona Driver's License unless an exemption is granted by the HR Manager or CEO (if exemption is granted the employee must sign a no-drive agreement which will be placed in personnel file).

CPR Certification.

Comply with a Drug Free workplace.

Job Restriction Clearance.

Knowledge and ability to define the needs of the customer served.

Knowledge of Waived Laboratory Equipment.

Fingerprint Clearance.

For Those Working With SMI:

1. Knowledge of symptoms related to qualifying diagnosis.

2. Ability to identify and communicate signs of regression and deterioration.

3. Knowledge of interventions to foster self-care and ADL skill development.

For Those Working With Substance Abuse:

1. Able to identify signs and symptoms of Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency.

2. Knowledge of a range of treatment for dependence including relapse, prevention, strategies and self-help groups.

3. Able to provide a diagnostic impression per DSM-IV criteria for Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency.

4. Knowledge of the history of substance dependence and of the biopsychosocial influences and effects of dependencies.

For Those Working with DD:

1. Knowledge of symptoms related to qualifying diagnosis.

2. Ability to identify and communicate signs of regression and deterioration.

3. Knowledge of Article 9 (customer rights) of State requirements.

4. Knowledge of Customer Intervention Techniques relative to self-care and ADL skills development.

Preferred:

One year Behavioral Health nursing experience.

One year nursing supervision experience.

Skills/Abilities

Required:

Fluent in English both verbally and in writing.

Able to prioritize workload.

Able to work in crisis oriented work environment and to effectively employ analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to see and report any medical or physical emergencies to on-call nursing and medical personnel.

Ability to prioritize, handle multiple priorities on the unit.

Ability to monitor and use Universal Precautions for Infection Control.

Ability to supervise and perform Seclusion/Restraint procedures.

Ability to supervise and provide ADL care/duties on the unit for mental health, SMI, and detoxification customers.

Ability to complete required reports and/or paperwork.

Preferred:

Ability to assist clinical personnel with diagnostic observations regarding

psychiatric and substance disorders.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Requirements

Able to sit and stand for extended periods of time, less frequently, walking, lifting and reaching.

Able to hear the ordinary conversation and phone communications.

Visual capacity necessary to fulfil documentation, responsibilities of the job.

Ability to occasionally assist in behavior management techniques, to physically restrain, seclude and apply mechanical restraints to aggressive customers.

Able to hear auscultatory sounds and body percussions through a stethoscope.

Negative TB skin test.

Emotional Capabilities

Able to work with customers who are emotionally distressed, in crisis.

Able to work with customers who have been abused or perpetrated abuse.

Able to work with customers who abuse substances.

Equipment Operation

Able to operate general office equipment.

Able to operate Company vehicles.

Ability to use medical/nursing assessment equipment, such as blood pressure, stethoscope, etc.

Environmental Conditions

Air conditioned and/or heated unit setting.

Occasional incidents of physical aggression from customer towards personnel, peers and property.

Accommodations(s)

Will accommodate as appropriate and reasonable.

CONFIDENTIALITY LEVEL:

I understand that State and Federal Laws strictly prohibit unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, or destruction of confidential, sensitive or protected health information. Penalties for a violation may include ChangePoint disciplinary action, including termination of employment, and/or criminal or civil action.