Registered Nurse

Description

Position Summary:  

Under general supervision, directs technical nursing care functions in accordance with individual nursing care plans and as directed by attending physician to clients with behavioral health and/or substance use disorders in an outpatient behavioral health clinic. Care includes conducting initial and on-going nursing assessments, behavioral health assessments (as needed), administering medications including injections, assisting with client bridge requests, etc.   

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards: 

• Assures treatment planning, discharge planning, and orders for services are determined and complete with second signatures (if needed). 

• Provides education to the client about medications and treatment.  

• Explains medication and treatment to the client.   

• Identifies client’s health education/information needs; instructs clients accordingly.  Solicits feedback from clients to verify understand.  

• Advises clients on health maintenance and refers client to other health care services as appropriate. 

• Administers medication(s) in the proper methods, time, and dosage as ordered and indicated by prescriber.  This can include both oral and injection medications. 

• Observes and records client response to medication for side effects or adverse effects; immediately reports any significant reactions to attending prescriber. 

• Maintains adequate supply of necessary medications, samples, and lab supplies needed.    

• Conducts and records audits of medications for expiration dates and other data according to established guidelines. 

• Coordinates with Business Manager for re-ordering of lab supplies needed. 

• Calls in prescriptions ordered by physicians as needed. 

• Performs various health screenings according to established guidelines. 

• Takes vital signs and performs other tests (such as glucose monitoring, pregnancy tests, UDS, etc.) as required by the prescriber following established guidelines. 

• Collects specimens for diagnostic testing according to established procedures. 

• Orders lab work per protocol.  Performs lab draws.  Uses CLIA-waivered lab equipment for in-agency lab work and obtains lab results from lab work performed by commercial labs. 

• Provides initial and on-going assessments.  Interviews client to obtain thorough medical history and/or determine extent of illness.  Enters this into client chart for use by prescriber. 

• These assessments include initial and yearly nursing assessments minimally, but can also include follow ups in between prescriber appointments.   

• Also, RN’s may complete on-going behavioral health assessments (when appropriate) for clients. 

• Responsible for providing outpatient behavioral health psychoeducational groups to clients as appropriate. 

• Responds to clients in acute distress according to established guidelines. 

• Additional duties as assigned. 

Sample Technical Competencies: 

1. Ability to identify medication. 

2. Ability to assist physician. 

3. Ability to convey patient’s information to physician. 

4. Skill in routine medical procedures, i.e.: applying bandages and/or tourniquets, giving injections, measuring temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc. 

5. Ability to maintain accurate medical records of treatments, medications, symptoms and patient conditions. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:  Current Georgia license to practice as a Registered Nurse

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:  Registered Nurse License

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristic described her are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Exposure Class:  2 – Low risk.  May handle specimens, assist with client care or be called in to assist in emergency situations. 

Positions designated as Essential Personnel may be required to report to work or remain at work during emergency operations.