Registered Nurse

JOB TITLE: Registered Nurse

DEPARTMENT: Behavioral Health

REPORTS TO: CMC Nursing Supervisor; Chief Clinical Officer, CMC Director

JOB SUMMARY: The nurse directs, manages and coordinates aspects of client care at the Cody Regional Health, Behavioral Health Office. The Psychiatric Clinic Nurse must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the clients served at Behavioral Health. The nurse must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the client’s status and must be able to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each client’s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as indicated by the policies and procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Current Wyoming licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.

EXPERIENCE: Prefer at least 2 years of experience in a Behavioral Health care area

SKILLS: Communicate effectively with personnel and interact effectively with a wide variety of clients. Knowledge regarding up-to-date on currently used drugs, their actions, and side effects. Has basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology. Understanding of medical/legal considerations. Able to take pertinent, concise history. Make adequate physical assessment of: Cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, ENT, skin, neurological, psychological/social. Ability to verbally present information and ideas. Knowledge of aseptic techniques and infection control principles. Able to perform effectively in highly stressful situations. Must be able to interact effectively with a wide variety of people. Excellent communication skills. Able to serve as an example to other employees.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS: BLS

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Management of the medication assistance program. This would include all aspects of the program.

  • Assisting clients with the application process.
  • Assisting clients with ongoing reapplication process
  • Assisting clients to be responsible for the reapplication process thereby resulting in uninterrupted medication supply.
  • Assisting the physician with completion of all labeling and directions needed for the medication and ensuring the five (5) rights of medication administration.
  • Providing an organized and safe process for storage of medication assistance program medications.
  • Medication education for clients.

• Monitoring of sample medications.

  • Maintaining a process for a sample medication log.
  • Provide an organized safe process for storage of sample medication.
  • Ensure that all medication processes adhere to the policy and procedure for sample medications. Ensure no controlled substances are on the premises.
  • Monitor flow of sample medications.
  • Monitor to ensure that appropriate and useful medications are placed in the medication room by the “Drug Representatives.”
  • Monitor expiration dates of all medications.

• Provide telephone triage/assessments for clients. The secretarial staff will forward to the nurse calls requiring assessment and medical attention beyond the scope of the secretarial job description. The nurse will assess the client’s need and make a determination of the appropriate action necessary to address the patient need. The nurse will act as a liaison for the psychiatrist. The goal is to provide prompt and relevant care for all clients. The psychiatrist will assist with this as indicated. All action will be documented in the Medical Record
• The nurse will communicate lab results to the client in conjunction with the psychiatrist input. This action will be documented in the Medical Record along with any indicated follow up.

• The nurse will be responsible for communication with pharmacies regarding medication refills, clarification of medication orders, and other such aspects of pharmacy communication.
• The nurse will assist and coordinate aspects of insurance authorization for office visits and medications.
• The nurse will assist/coordinate aspects of the performance improvement plan for the psychiatrists.
• The nurse will monitor ongoing client care. Concerns regarding breaches in quality client care will be addressed to administrative staff for analysis and determination of action to improve client care. This includes care provided at all levels of the service.
• The nurse will assist in monitoring client follow up care with the psychiatrist as indicated.
• In the event of an unanticipated absence of the psychiatrist, the nurse may be utilized for triage and assessment of clients who may need immediate attention. The nurse would assess the need and communicate this need to the primary psychiatrist or the on-call psychiatrist for disposition. If there is no on-call psychiatrist available, a client may be referred to ED as indicated.
• The nurse will work to establish relationships with the clients by treating clients with respect and dignity and giving attention to the needs as the clients presents it. The nurse will also be aware of professional boundaries with clients and maintain these boundaries with all clients.

• The nurse will work closely with the secretarial staff to ensure that client needs are being met. If there are concerns regarding the care provided at this level, the nurse will work with the secretarial staff for resolution. If this is not effective, the nurse will present these concerns to the administrative staff for resolution.
• The nurse will accurately and thoroughly document all aspects of patient care that the nurse has administered in a timely and accurate manner.
• The nurse will monitor vital signs, weight, current medication or other aspects of patient care as indicated.
• The nurse will complete client teaching as indicated.
• The nurse will communicate pertinent client information to other care providers as indicated.
  SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Function as a team member at the Cody Regional Health Behavioral Health unit.
• Ensure that medical equipment is functional and in good repair.
• Maintain and grow in the area of psychiatric nursing completing pertinent in-service and educational conferences.

• Attend staff meetings as assigned.