Registered Nurse - Mental Health Center

Salary : $68,452.80 - $95,929.60 Annually
Location : Mankato, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2024-00006
Department: Human Services
Opening Date: 01/25/2024
Closing Date: 2/7/2024 11:59 PM Central
DESCRIPTION
Under the direct supervision of the Mental Health Center Supervisor - Human Services, this position supports the mission of Blue Earth County Human Services by effectively and efficiently delivering essential services to families and individuals so they can achieve their potential through active community participation. Using a patient-centered approach, this position performs a variety of patient care duties for the clinic. This position is responsible for providing support to medical staff and case managers with medical case management; cooperate as a team member; provide services in accordance with patient's individual treatment plan; assist patients through medication set up, administration, and medication education; direct community-based crisis prevention and intervention services in coordination or under the direction of the medical staff, case manager, or supervisor as appropriate to reduce or minimize the need for hospitalization.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs clinical practice functions according to clinical training and MHC policies and procedures. Provides triage and assessment of complex clinical concerns of patients. Responds to patient with recommendations for immediate medical attention and/or medication education.
2. Provides recommendations to medical providers on current concerns and plan of care. Assesses current Mental Health functioning and uses clinical skills and training to determine appropriateness of administering long-acting injectable medications to patients as prescribed by Mental Health Center medical staff.
3. Administers injection and provides clinical monitoring and assessment for adverse side effects. Reviews, analyzes, and assesses clinical lab results of patients and uses clinical skills and training to determine and provide clinical response to patient and medical provider. Consults with medical provider and patient regarding additional medical or therapeutic supports.
4. Completes referrals to internal and external providers and carries out orders as directed by the medical staff. Conducts clinical assessments, as medically indicated, including the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) assessment and provides assessment results to the medical staff.
5. Provides medical case management. Perform medication set up and administration using clinical skills and training while monitoring for medication interactions. Recommend clinical follow up at necessary. Provides medication, mental, and chemical health education to patients and caregivers. Informs members of the patient's treatment team about the changes in the patient's Mental Health status. Prescribes nursing interventions based on assessment for patient care needs related to rest and sleep, pain and comfort, nutrition, elimination, skin integrity, emotional support, psychological orientation, and other health care domains.
6. Coordinates and communicates with pharmacies and insurance companies to assure patients can access medications as prescribed.
7. Independently, or with team consultation when available, responds to a crisis or emergency using community resources in a safe and timely manner. Use clinical skills and training to determine the appropriate and timely response using least restrictive options when possible. Provide thorough documentation and communication to treatment team members as soon as possible.
8. Document observations, intervention, and evaluation of all nursing care provided within the electronic health record. Completes internal and external forms and documents. Submits reports and forms to providers and departments as requested and as authorized by a release of information.
9. Provides backup coverage on tasks that may include taking vital signs, weight; reviewing all medication taken and ensuring that physicians have a listing of medications for each visit.
10. Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
11. Interacts positively with internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations and customers.
12. Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
13. Attends work during regularly scheduled hours.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Reads appropriate journals and articles. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration. Actively engages clinic leadership (Mental Health Center Supervisor and Clinical Director) to assure high quality clinical care is provided.
2. Acts as patient advocate. Facilitates resourceful utilization of health care services, equipment, and supplies. Identifies problems that may be appropriately referred to the patient representative.
3. Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Registered Nurse licensure with the ability to practice in the State of Minnesota.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or a related field.
• Experience working in a clinic, human services, or public health agency.
• Experience working with serious and persistent mental illness.
• Working knowledge of psychiatric/psychotropic medications.
• Fluent in understanding and speaking languages other than English such as: Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, or Arabic.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
• Must comply with federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data is being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data is not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to county policy and the Minnesota Statutes.

HOURS OF WORK
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.
Benefits Overview
AFSCME, No. 65 - Courthouse & Human Services
The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, competitive total compensation package. The County's benefit programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. Benefits begin upon date of hire.
The following outlines County offered total compensation benefits. This document provides an overview and does not offer all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents and/or collective bargaining agreements, the plan documents will prevail.
Regular, Full-Time Employee
Wage/Salary Scale
Blue Earth County features a 12-Step Pay Plan. Our advertised salary ranges include all 12 Steps. A selected candidate will typically be offered Step 1 of the salary range. Additional salary considerations are subject to negotiation and dependent on skills and experience directly related to the position.
Vacation Leave
Vacation accruals, utilization, and payouts are detailed in the collective bargaining agreement and/or the employee handbook.
Blue Earth County Years of Service Bi-Weekly Accrual Rate
0 - 5 years - 3.85 hours
6 - 9 years - 4.77 hours
10 - 13 years - 5.69 hours
14 - 18 years - 6.62 hours
19 - 24 years - 7.54 hours
25 + years - 8.46 hours
Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 7.34 hours for each full month of service.
Paid Holidays
Blue Earth County recognizes 11 (88 hours) paid holidays, and employees receive one floating holiday per year.
Health Insurance
Employees may choose from 3-health insurance plans and either single or family coverage. Insurance Rates (Monthly) - Effective: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Plan 1: CMM $0 Deductible
Employee:Single - $120.40 / Family - $1,061.38
Employer: Single - $1,083.45 / Family - $2,476.55
Total Cost: Single - $1,203.85 / Family - $3,537.93
Plan 2: CMM $300 Deductible
Employee:Single - $0.92 / Family - $710.28
Employer: Single - $1,083.46 / Family - $2,476.54
Total Cost: Single - $1,084.38 / Family - $3,186.82
Plan 3: HDHP with HSA
Employee:Single - $0.00 / Family - $422.96
Employer: Single - $868.64 / Family - $2,129.83
Total Cost: Single - $868.64 / Family - $2,552.79
Blue Earth County contributes to a health savings account (HSA) when the employee elects the HDHP. Single coverage HSA contributions equal $1,500, and family coverage HSA contributions equal $3,000.
Life Insurance
Employees are provided with Term-Life Insurance at no cost to them:

• $20,000 term-life/$20,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• After ten (10) years of continuous employment with Blue Earth County, the policy will increase to $35,000 term-life/$35,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)

Retirement
The County and the employee contribute to the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) based on a percentage of the employee wage:
General/Coordinated Plan
Employee: 6.5%
Employer: 7.5%
Voluntary Benefits Available

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Nice Healthcare
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Roth IRA
• 529 Educational Roth
• Supplemental Life
• AFLAC

01
The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02
Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters or Higher
• None of the above

03
If applicable, list the field of study in which you possess a degree.

• Registered Nurse
• Nursing Administration
• Family Practice Nurse
• Nursing Science
• None of the above

04
I am a licensed Registered Nurse in the State of Minnesota

• Yes
• No

05
Which of the following best describes your years of full-time employment experience working in a clinic, human services, or public health agency?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 2
• More than 2 years, but less than 3
• More than 3 years

06
Describe your experience listed above. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
07
Please select the work environment which best describes your previous experience. (Please select all that apply.)

• State Hospital
• Community Hospital
• Mental Health Clinic
• Group Home
• County Human Services
• Crisis Center
• N/A - I do not have any of the above experience.

08
Which of the following best describes your years of experience working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years

09
Describe your experience listed above. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.
10
Which of the following best describes your knowledge of treatment and community resources for clients with mental illness?

• Limited - I have very little knowledge of treatment and community resources for clients with mental illness
• Moderate - I have knowledge of treatment and community resources for clients with mental illness that I utilize on an occasional basis over the course of a year.
• Extensive - I have knowledge of treatment and community resources for clients with mental illness that I utilize regularly over the course of a month.
• N/A - I have no experience in this area.

11
Which of the following best describes your knowledge and application of psychotropic medications?

• Limited - I have very little knowledge and application of psychotropic medications
• Moderate - I have knowledge of psychotropic medications that I have utilized on an occasional basis over the course of a year
• Extensive - I have knowledge of psychotropic medications that I utilize on a regular basis over the course of a month
• N/A - I have no experience in this area.

...