Description

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.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• 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 clients 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, RNs 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Current Georgia license to practice as a Registered Nurse