Relief CBHC ESP Nurse, Gardner

CSO is looking for Relief Nurses to work in our CBHC Emergency Services Program in Gardner.

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) are responsible for providing a full range of client-centered and family-centered services and interventions for mental health, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders. CBHCs serve as an entry point for timely, flexible, person-centered, high-quality mental health and addiction treatment on an urgent and ongoing basis.

Our Emergency Service Programs (ESPs) offer clients behavioral health assessments, intervention and stabilization (for youth, families and adults,) 24-hour availability, and are a preferred alternative to hospital emergency departments. We offer these services to all individuals regardless of insurance or ability to pay. We provide daily assessment and brief counseling, case management, nursing support and peer support. We have recovery and wellness focused groups, psychiatric consultation when needed and also provide discharge planning. 

As a CBHC ESP Nurse you will be responsible for the care and treatment of clients as well as specific tasks necessary to the operation of the program.

Responsibilities

• Perform medical screening of CBHC/CCS/Respite client admissions.
• Coordinate medication and health care clearances prior to admission when possible, by taking information from hospital/community healthcare providers.
• Review medications upon program admission, confirms prescriptions and dosages, set-up medication charting, administer, document and monitor medications of clients per program policy.
• Package medications for clients to self-administer when Nurse is not on duty.
• Complete health assessments of clients, and review health concerns with Clinical Nurse or Psychiatrist, as appropriate. 
• Monitor clients' physical status as needed, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and blood sugar for signs of medication side effects.  Respond to abnormal findings by contacting client's primary care physician or, if needed, review with CSO Psychiatrist/Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• Comply with DPH regulations for storage of medications (in locked drawer). 
• Provide health education for clients as part of treatment team when appropriate. 
• Contact clients' primary care physicians regularly, and make referrals to PCP's when necessary.
• Monitor Respite clients, including hourly bed checks and documentation, and provide closer observation as needed. 
• Provide supportive counseling and safety for clients utilizing the program.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living, including self-care, cooking, recreation, and medication responsibilities. 
• Arrange for clients to participate in designated community programs or return to their jobs.  Schedule aftercare follow-up appointments for medication monitoring and/or review.
• Function as an active member of the Program Treatment Team, on a day-to-day basis, in the therapeutic setting including:
• Attending staff meetings;
• Arriving as needed for rotating shifts; 
• Charting and reporting on daily records; 
• Share observations, interactions, and knowledge to develop 24-hour care plans, maintaining knowledge of client's treatment plan. 
• Communicate regularly with family members, significant others, and involved providers in an effort to coordinate care. 
• Answer and direct crisis telephone calls according to established procedures.
• Transport clients approved by supervisor. 
• Be alert at all times.
• As a designated critical employee of CSO, must come to work when scheduled regardless of adverse weather conditions, and when other CSO offices are closed, including holidays. In the event there are extenuating circumstances, employee must make prior arrangements with Program Director in order to maintain adequate staffing in the program. 
• Attend in-service trainings on evidence-based best practices and other topics as appropriate.
• Ensure record keeping and service delivery standards meet CBHC quality metric requirements, as determined by the CBHC contract.
• Complete all initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for those hospitals where employee will be providing services including obtaining required vaccinations, tox screens, and safety/health education competencies. (Any necessary vaccinations/x-rays are employee's responsibility.) 

Qualifications

LPN with one year of experience required; RN with one year of experience working with a psychiatric population preferred.  Must be well-organized, resourceful, and able to function as a productive member of a treatment team.  Valid Massachusetts' licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse required.  Computer proficiency required including ability to work with email, electronic health record and word processing software.  Must be able to work flexible schedule, including night and weekends as needed. Must possess valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, (English/Spanish speaking.)

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From our early days as a child guidance clinic, we have expanded into a full service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families over the past 50 years. We have community based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey. EOE/AA