Child Behavioral Nurse

**BONUS OPPORTUNITY ELIGIBLE**

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The Children’s Acute Care Nurse will provide medication monitoring for Jefferson Center's New Vista/CSU, Youth Residential Recovery, and the Academy at Jefferson Center programs.  This position will have oversight of all medication processes and will administer medications to patients.  Provide psychiatric and substance use nursing services to patients of the residential/inpatient program, including development and application of internal medical program improvements. Collaborate with the Medical Director and any additional provider(s) in all phases of medication management, side effects, and follow-up as needed. Identify potential physical problems and possible solutions impacting the mental health and early recovery stability of patients.  Provide group and individual education to all patients regarding medical (physical, psychiatric, SUD) diagnoses and treatment. 

We are a 24-hour, 7 day/week, 365 day a year facility. We are looking for full-time and part-time Nurses. Flexible schedules available.

Essential Duties:

• In collaboration with Medical Director and admissions coordinator, determine appropriateness of admission for patients based on assessment and/or ASAM Criteria, and reported pre-existing/current medical conditions.
• Works collaboratively with Medical Director and treatment team to complete needs assessment with all patients on the day of admission, throughout treatment and at discharge. Use EHR to document medical and psychiatric findings and establish plan of care to be assessed on an ongoing basis (RN only).
• Perform physical exams for every patient upon admission. (RN only).
• Coordinate psychiatric exams, if applicable, within 24 hours of admission (RN only).
• Implement prescriber orders, either written or verbal.
• Administer medications to patients and ensure Medication Administration Records (MAR) are updated to reflect medication changes.
• Coordinate prescription refills.
• Assist Residential Clinicians in transferring patient’s medical and psychiatric needs upon discharge.
• Assist Clinicians with needs assessment for patients at admission, throughout treatment and discharge.
• Order and review labs as requested by the prescriber.
• Assess clients for medication efficacy and/or side effects.
• Provide medication education/medication groups for youth.
• Coordinate medication concerns with prescriber.
• Draw blood and perform medication injections.
• Assist with milieu management, as needed.
• Develop therapeutic alliance with clients and work effectively and with cultural competence with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Order, stock and reconcile the medication cabinets and order OTC medications and medical supplies.
• Ensure compliance with the Health Department, OBH, Signal and OSHA regulations.
• Complete and submit Medication Occurrence Reports on all medication errors.
• Perform routine medical procedures (blood pressure, pulse oximetry, temperature, breathalyzer, urine drug testing, urine pregnancy testing, finger stick glucose testing, etc).
• Collaborate with local public health departments in education and harm reduction initiatives from substance use (may include needle exchange, HIV, HEP B and C, TB and STI testing).
• Collaborate with the Jefferson Center nursing team and other center teams, as needed.
• Identify risk factors for suicide, homicidal and/or grave disability. As appropriate, complete involuntary mental health holds (27-65) according to Center protocol.
• Interacts with clients to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Work collaboratively with others to innovate and problem solve – especially within your field of expertise.

Perform:

• EHR documented history, physical and mental assessments including a plan of care for patients on the day of admission and as needed throughout their treatment episode
• Individual patient and group education regarding basic medical information
• Medication documentation and administration, including IM injections
• Assistance for the milieu staff to evaluate a patient’s medical needs
• Emergency Procedures: CPR, First Aid, Narcan, Epi Pen, AED Use
• Evaluations to determine emergent or urgent acute patient needs, including, but not limited to, a(an):
  • Life-threatening event
  • Acute suicidal or homicidal event
  • Acute psychiatric episode
  • Acute withdrawal syndrome

Coordinate:

• Psychiatric examinations, as needed
• Primary Care appointments and follow-ups, as needed
• Prescription Refills, including verbal orders from the Medical Director
• Ordering, drawing and reviewing labs
• Communication of medication side effects or problems with prescribing provider
• All aspects of patient care with the treatment team

Medication Management Oversight including:

• Daily audit (during scheduled workdays)
• Implementing and adhering to all Medication Protocols
• Monitoring medication quantities and refills, including disposal of discontinued medications per the program’s Dead Med Procedure
• OTC administration, reconciliation and accounting
• MAR maintenance and updates
• Allergy documentation
• Submission and review of medication occurrence reports
• Assessing patients for medication efficacy and/or side effects

Note:  Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Qualifications:

• AARN, BSRN, MSRN or LPN registered with DORA required.
• Two or more years of experience and/or training in a behavioral health setting required.
• Candidate must have a good understanding of co-occurring disorders and treatment. An ideal candidate would have familiarity with medication assisted treatment (MAT), withdrawal symptoms, psychiatric diagnoses, and associated treatment(s).
• Candidate must have a good understanding of various medical conditions including emergent and nonemergent conditions, especially those conditions pertaining to co-occurring patients.
• Candidate must have a basic understanding of using a trauma informed approach with patients including positive bed side manner and upholding unconditional positive regard during interactions with others.
• Applicant must have basic computer skills such as e-mail, electronic health record documentation, electronic prescribing, and electronic laboratory interface.
• Current and maintained CPR and First Aid Certification.

Jefferson Center offers the following benefits:

• Flexible scheduling options and remote work options for eligible positions.
• Relocation assistance, up to $1,500, for out of state candidates willing to relocate to Colorado.
• Medical (Kaiser or Cigna), Delta Dental, and EyeMed Vision insurance plans
• Life, LTD/STD, and malpractice insurance paid by Jefferson Center
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution and 403(b) option
• 15% Wellness Discount on medical insurance plans for participating employees
• 1 Paid Wellness Hour per week (based on FTE)
• Health Insurance Reimbursement up to $125 per month
• Generous Paid Time Off plus 13 paid holidays per year
• Employees with 1 year of service are eligible for Supplemental Parental Leave up to 60 hours (based on FTE)
• Extended Paid Bereavement Leave up to 20 days
• Trauma Informed Care Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement after one year of employment
• Clinical License application fee reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility and Colorado Health Services Corps loan repayment plan options for participating employees & eligible sites.