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JOB SUMMARY:
The Registered Nurse ACT Team is a member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) multidisciplinary team responsible for conducting psychiatric assessments; assessing physical needs; making appropriate referrals to community physicians; providing management and administration of medication in conjunction with the psychiatrist, providing a range of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services; and sharing shift-management responsibility with other staff. Essential functions are under the direction of psychiatric care providers and in collaboration with other Registered Nurses ACT Team. Number of direct care community visits will be determined by ACT Team Leader, dependent upon number of assigned in-office duties, as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Perform shift management in coordination with other ACT shift managers according to established policies and procedures.
- Document individual progress to maintain a permanent record of individual activity according to established methods and procedures.
- Participate in daily staff organizational meetings; treatment plan review meetings; and regularly scheduled nurse meetings in order to develop consistency across teams and to ensure that all policies/procedures are being followed, as assigned.
- Manage the medication system; manage pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; administer, and document medication treatment. These tasks could include development, revision, maintenance, and supervision of team psychopharmacologic and medical treatment; medication policies and procedures; evaluation and charting of medication effectiveness, complications, and side effects; and arrangement of required lab work according to protocol.
- Organize and manage the system of tracking medication delivery to individuals and integrate medication administration into individual service plans.
- Screen and monitor individuals for medical problems and side effects to include direct service care and education of other ACT team members in order to help with overall monitoring of symptoms and side effects.
- Communicate and coordinate services with the other medical providers.
- Engage in health promotion, prevention, and education activities to include assessing for high-risk behaviors. Help individuals strategize ways to maximize taking medications as prescribed and reach optimal health.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Make appropriate changes in treatment plans to ensure immediate and appropriate interventions are provided in response to changes in mental status or behavior which may put individual at risk (e.g., suicidality).
- Provide ongoing assessment and symptom education to individuals.
- Provide direct clinical services to individuals to teach behavioral symptom management techniques to alleviate and manage symptoms not reduced by medication and to promote personal growth and development.
- Coordinate with outside inpatient services to detoxify individuals and establish linkage to self-help programs (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous), outpatient services, and residential facilities.
- Provide work related supportive services, such as assistance with grooming and personal hygiene, securing of appropriate clothing, wake-up calls, and transportation.
- Provide ongoing assessment, problem solving, skill training, supervision (e.g., prompts, assignments, monitoring, encouragement), and environmental adaptions to assist individuals with activities of daily living.
- Assist and support individuals to have and effectively use a personal primary care physician, dentist, and other medical specialists as required.
- Provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance, training, and supervision to help individuals obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support; supported housing; money management services; and transportation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong clinical skills.
- Clear understanding of the characteristics and problems of adults with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use addictions.
- Knowledge of the ACT model.
- Respect for individual preferences.
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Master's, Bachelor's, or Associate's Degree in nursing and licensed as a Registered Nurse.
At least one year of work experience in a psychiatric setting or with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) population.
Must meet Board of Health Professions registration requirements for QMHP (A or C or A-Trainee or C-Trainee).
Valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
