Position Overview:
This position provides specialized nursing services in the psychiatric-mental health field which include psychiatric nursing assessments, mental health therapies, the administering and monitoring of medication, case management services, after-care, home visitation and crisis intervention to clients suffering from severe mental illness. An incumbent in this class is responsible for a caseload of such clients who may also have a substance use disorder, acute or chronic medical disorders, or be at risk for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, TB, and STDs. This part-time position (20 hours/weekly) offers a flexible schedule based upon the needs of clinical operations and applicant availability.
Examples of Duties:
- Assesses patients with severe mental illness, determines nursing needs including medication, and intervenes in emergencies with consumers in crisis.
- Collaborates with physicians and other health professionals to develop holistic plans for the health care services of patients.
- Dispenses, coordinates and monitors consumer medication.
- Administers long-acting neuroleptic medications by injection while ensuring that medication orders are current, evaluating side effects, observing for signs of over/under medication, and documenting receipt of medications.
- Provides health education to patients individually to enhance health literacy, compliance and insure lifestyle changes.
- Provides individual nursing counseling and works with families to assist them in understanding and accepting the patients' illness.
- Supports operation of the medication room.
- Keeps accurate records of patients participating in the weekly shot clinic and schedules ongoing clinic appointments.
- Consults with case coordinators for follow up on patients seen in medication clinic.
- Notifies case coordinators and psychiatrist of patient's failure to show for injectable medication appointment or medication planners.
- Ensures that practices used in dispensing medication and disposing of hazardous waste are in accordance with OSHA safety standards.
- Evaluates patients at risk and refers to emergency services team for pre-screens to determine need of hospitalization, detention or commitment and assists in discharge planning for their return to the community.
- Refers patients and families to care coordinators to seek community resources for housing, health care, financial and legal assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment services, transportation assistance and entitlement programs.
- Provides minimal case coordination to patients, involving regular and recurring contact with them to ensure medication compliance.
- Administers TB tests to staff and consumers, if required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What We Are Looking For: