Registered Nurse

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for the delivery of professional nursing care and milieu management for assigned mental health program, administering medications and supervising crisis technicians, unit assistants and milieu specialists in their delivery of services. Works closely with members of the treatment team to enhance communication and provide quality consumer care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

• Assesses potential admissions for medical stability, face to face or by phone, and completes the Medical Stability Form.
• Completes Nursing Assessment in accordance with regulatory and agency requirements. Continuously re-assesses consumers’ needs throughout the course of treatment.
• Completes the Individualized Treatment Plan based upon the findings of the assessment(s).
• Functions as an active member of the multidisciplinary team, including meeting each weekday with physician, social worker, and therapist to review consumer progress.
• Accepts and transcribes verbal and written physician’s orders and incorporates them into the Treatment Plan.
• Performs treatment interventions requiring a physician’s order and Registered Nurse’s licensure for administration; i.e., medication administration, medical treatments.
• Interprets the nursing and treatment needs of the consumer to non-professional team members assigned to the consumers.
• Completes hourly rounds to ensure client safety and documents completion of hourly rounds in ObservSmart
• Assesses and monitors consumers’ medical status throughout their stay, notifying physician of possible needs and changes in status, ensuring completion of lab work, and reviewing lab results and directing these results to the appropriate physician for follow-up.
• Ensures that milieu is safe, therapeutic, and structured by:

+ 1) accurately assessing consumers in need of emergency medication, administering as indicated, and completing required legal paperwork;

+ 2) assessing need for more restrictive interventions such as brief isolation, seclusion, and restraint. Directs staff in effective implementation of procedure and ensures consumers are being monitored at the appropriate intervals;

+ 3) ensuring established schedule and program routine is followed;

+ 4) using and promoting the incorporation of Universal Precautions in direct consumer contact;

+ 5) ensuring that responsibility for fifteen-minute checks are assigned and completed;

+ 6) assigning technical health care duties such as taking of blood pressures, reviewing results, and acting upon irregular findings;

+ 7) conducting and/or assigning room and body searches within agency guidelines;

+ 8) acting as contact person for physicians, on-site supervisor, and Administrator On Call;

+ 9) directing emergency procedures needed to protect safety of consumers, staff, and visitors.

• Uses diversionary techniques and verbal crisis prevention and intervention skills as a first step in responding to a consumer crisis. Incorporates consumer’s preferences identified in the verbal de-escalation preference form into these interventions.
• Effectively reinforces positive behavior of consumers through verbal praise and other creative ways.
• Provides education for consumer and family, as needed.
• Models for staff effective communication with consumers, families, and other professionals, including appropriate telephone etiquette.
• Accurately completes assigned legal paperwork, such as authorizations for medication and restrictive procedures.
• Accurately completes (or ensures completion of) administrative paperwork by end of shift:

+ 1) seclusion and restraint logs;

+ 2) physician orders;

+ 3) progress notes;

+ 4) admission paperwork;

+ 5) communication and incident reports.

• When on duty during evening and night shifts, weekends, and holidays acts as consultant to direct care staff and LPNs in the residential setting.
• Completes other duties as required by program or agency

Requirements:

• Develops and maintains competency in NAPPI, CPR/First Aid training, HIV/AIDS, Infection Control, annual DCF trainings, safety procedures and relevant Baker Act/Marchman Act facilitation of unit scheduled activities in a timely manner.
• Ability to properly use emergency oxygen tanks, suction machine (where appropriate), glucometer, thermometer, blood pressure cuff/sphygmomanometer, stethoscope.
• Displays competency by the direct review of performance by supervisor with testing using the 10-panel drug screen.
• Displays competency by the direct review of performance by supervisor with obtaining specimen, use of glucometer and reading of results.
• Follows agency procedures in the handling of hazardous and biohazardous waste.
• Uses protective equipment appropriately as prescribed by policy.
• Properly applies and removes restraints.
• Able to operate telephone system, walkie-talkie computer, and iPads.
• Eligibility through a Level II background screening with AHCA and DCF (https://info.flclearinghouse.com)

Education and Experience:

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• Registered Nurse with valid Florida licensure.
• One (1) year of experience in mental health nursing inpatient setting and one (1) year experience in medical/surgical nursing preferred.

Physical Requirements:

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• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to sit, twist, bend and stand for long periods.
• Must be able to transport self from building to building and differing locations.
• Must be able to communicate orally and in writing.
• Must be able to complete all portions of NAPPI training that are assigned and perform any NAPPI techniques for which the employee has been trained.

Special Working Conditions

Exposure to consumers and all possible program emergencies and conditions; to possible irregular work hours, including evenings, nights, and holidays; and to a variety of work locations as the need arises.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.

Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse helps ensure that caregivers, health workers, and educators meet Level 2 background screening standards before they can work with children, seniors, or other vulnerable groups. For more information, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com.