Position Summary:

Under general supervision provides direct, technical nursing care functions in accordance with individual nursing care plans and as directed by attending physician to clients with behavioral health and/or substance use disorders in an outpatient behavioral health clinic.  Care includes conducting initial and on-going nursing assessments, behavioral health assessments (as needed), administering medications including injections, assisting with client bridge requests, etc. 

 

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:

• Assures treatment planning, discharge planning, and orders for services are determined and complete with second signatures (if needed).


• Provides education to the client about medications and treatment.
  
  
  
  • Explains medication and treatment to the client. 
  
  
  • Identifies client’s health education/information needs; instructs clients accordingly.  Solicits feedback from clients to verify understand.
  
  
  • Advises clients on health maintenance and refers client to other health care services as appropriate.
  
  
  
  


• Administers medication(s) in the proper methods, time, and dosage as ordered and indicated by prescriber.  This can include both oral and injection medications.
  
  
  
  • Observes and records client response to medication for side effects or adverse effects; immediately reports any significant reactions to attending prescriber.
  
  
  
  


• Maintains adequate supply of necessary medications, samples, and lab supplies needed.  
  
  
  
  • Conducts and records audits of medications for expiration dates and other data according to established guidelines.
  
  
  • Coordinates with Business Manager for re-ordering of lab supplies needed.
  
  
  
  


• Calls in prescriptions ordered by physicians as needed.


• Performs various health screenings according to established guidelines.
  
  
  
  • Takes vital signs and performs other tests (such as glucose monitoring, pregnancy tests, UDS, etc.) as required by the prescriber following established guidelines.
  
  
  • Collects specimens for diagnostic testing according to established procedures.
  
  
  
  


• Orders lab work per protocol.  Performs lab draws.  Uses CLIA-waivered lab equipment for in-agency lab work and obtains lab results from lab work performed by commercial labs.


• Provides initial and on-going assessments.  Interviews client to obtain thorough medical history and/or determine extent of illness.  Enters this into client chart for use by prescriber.
  
  
  
  • These assessments include initial and yearly nursing assessments minimally but can also include follow ups in between prescriber appointments. 
  
  
  • Also, RN’s may complete on-going behavioral health assessments (when appropriate) for clients.
  
  
  
  


• Responsible for providing outpatient behavioral health psychoeducational groups to clients as appropriate.


• Responds to clients in acute distress according to established guidelines.


• Additional duties as assigned.

 

Sample Technical Competencies:

1. Ability to identify medication

2. Ability to assist physician

3. Ability to convey patient’s information to physician

4. Skill in routine medical procedures; i.e.: applying bandages and/or tourniquets, giving injections, measuring temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.

5. Ability to maintain accurate medical records of treatments, medications, symptoms and patient conditions