JOB DESCRIPTION

Crisis Care Center Registered Nurse

The Crisis Care Center is designed to provide crisis stabilization to individuals experiencing a behavioral health and/or substance use crisis and reduce pressure on law enforcement and local emergency departments. Once the crisis has been resolved and the individual has been stabilized, they will be linked with a community mental health provider for on-going services. This position is a direct service provider for the Crisis Care Center. The individual hired for this position is responsible for the coordination of medical, nursing and program services for individuals with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. The individual hired will be responsible for the initial nursing assessment of clients when they present to the Crisis Care Center to assure stabilization. This individual will also interpret medical information and assist or administer medications.

Supervised by: Nurse Manager

Shift: 7:00am-7:30pm or 7:00pm - 7:30 am

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Complete all admission and discharge paperwork including nursing assessments, physical assessments on individuals with mental health/substance abuse symptoms exhibiting a state of crisis and needs with development of nursing care plans
• Obtain medical histories and provide medical screening
• Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in individuals' conditions by observation using proper nursing care to the Provider and Nurse Manager and document individual progress or lack thereof
• Responsible for updating the initial treatment plan with any medical issues, in conjunction with other staff
• Complete required daily shift note for all individuals on Extended Observation
• Ensure all chart checks, CIWA, COWS, vitals are completed on the shift and all required logs (refrigerator, temperature logs) are updated on the sift
• Transcribe orders if needed
• Coordinate and implement discharge plans to outside community agencies and providers
• Follow-up on medical concerns by providing direct nursing services to clients
• Monitors with or without observation, withdrawal complications, possible medication side effects and emerging symptoms of mental illness
• Demonstrate competency for Blood Glucose Monitoring, Alcohol Breathalyzer, Urine Drug Screen, Pregnancy Test, and PPD skin tests
• Monitor and document all ordered labs, screenings, and results such as PPD, Blood Glucose, UA, RPR, Blood Chem, and CBC
• Perform safe phlebotomy practices when drawing blood labs
• Provides health education to groups and/or individuals
• Maintains up to date, well documented medical records in compliance with state and program requirements
• Participates in case reviews as a member of the multidisciplinary team
• Administers medications and conducts audits on medication record documents to ensure accountability and compliance with medical direction
• Intervene, stabilize and manage acute crisis situations as needed
• Assist with seclusions and restraints when necessary and complete all required paperwork (i.e. seclusion/restraint packets and incident reports by the end of the shift)
• Other duties and tasks as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered nurse with a current Alabama Nursing license
• Two years’ experience working with serious mental illness and/or substance use populations preferred
• Familiarity with psychotropic and neuroleptic drugs, their uses as well as potential side effects
• Valid American Red Cross CPR/First Aid certification
• Valid Alabama driver’s license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the seriously mentally ill and substance use population
• Knowledge of special needs and behavioral characteristics of the seriously mentally ill and/or substance use adult population
• Assessment skills in the areas of physical and mental status
• Familiarity with psychotropic and neuroleptic drugs, their uses, and potential side effects
• Knowledge and ability to properly administer psychotropic/neuroleptic drugs as ordered by the prescriber
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues relative to confidentiality of client records and the ability to interpret and apply them within the scope of the nursing responsibilities
• Working knowledge of clinical interviewing techniques and principles
• Effective communication skills, written and expressive
• Ability and willingness to document activities and maintain records in the electronic health record
• Trained in or willing to be trained in crisis intervention, specifically Therapeutic Options