Nurse

Description

BASIC PURPOSE: This position reports to the Program Supervisor.  This position is responsible for medication dispensation, client medication education, staff medication training and assisting with formulation of consistent medication policy at Hiawatha Hall to ensure licensing standards are met.

All duties at FCC are to be carried out in a manner consistent with the agency’s Mission, Vision and Values. All staff are expected to act as representatives of FCC and promote and maintain a positive image. All staff are expected to adhere to all laws of client rights, confidentiality, and privacy as governed by HIPAA, licensing and accreditation standards and FCC policies. All staff must maintain sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.  All staff must maintain regular communication with their supervisor and ensure s/he is properly informed. The statements below describe the general nature of work being performed in this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and additional responsibilities may be assigned, and required, or certain responsibilities eliminated by management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Psychiatry Coordination: Provide input to psychiatrist prior to client appointments; consult with psychiatrist after client appointments; implement psychiatry recommendations. 
• Client Medication Education: Provide weekly med education groups; provide individual medication education and consultation to clients as needed; assess and determine client ability to self-medicate. 
• Medication Training & Policy: Ensure all staff receive medication training as needed and required; conduct staff trainings on new meds as needed; in conjunction with Program Supervisor develop medication policies as necessary.  
• Medication Management: Fill med minders; ensure that clients have the appropriate amount and quantity of meds; conduct medication reconciliation as required; handle documentation and procedures related to client med refusals.  
• Direct Client Care: Dispense medications when on duty; conduct client physical upon intake.
• General Team Member Duties: Attend scheduled staff meetings and trainings as required; document therapeutic encounters as required; record client progress toward goal completion in client chart; participate as a member of the treatment team; participate in the development of house policies and procedures in conjunction with management. 

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ENVIRONMENT:

Education, Training, Work Experience or Licensure: Must be a Registered Nurse with licensure in good standing; must meet the qualifications of a MN Mental Health Practitioner; must have previous experience working with persons with mental illness. 

Specialized Knowledge or Skills: Ability to relate well and communicate effectively and patiently with adults with mental illness; extensive knowledge of psychotropic meds or willingness to learn.

Equipment and Applications: Proficient at personal computer standard applications (Word, Excel, E-mail, etc.)  Use of fax and photocopy machine.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: Residential environment in a two-story Victorian home; Office with desk, phone and computer is supplied; office will also serve as medication distribution room for use by other staff when not present.  Position may require lifting, carrying or moving of items less than 50 lbs (groceries, small furniture, client belongings, etc.)