JOB SUMMARY:

The Registered Nurse is responsible for the overall assessment, implementation of treatment, and evaluation of quality clinical services for children, adolescent, adult, and geriatric clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Conducts a comprehensive and/or ongoing bio-medical assessment; takes vital signs; assesses for signs of communicable diseases; conducts triage and identifies clients who need to be seen by a physician; determines the need for wellness education, physical health treatment and / or psychiatric evaluation. 

2. Collaborates with staff, clients, and their supporters to develop personalized, achievable goals, objectives and interventions that promote self-reliance.

3. Advocates for client and family access to services and for systems change when needs go unmet.

4. Is CPR certified; within the scope of the program assess for the initiation of emergency measures; utilizes sound judgement in the provision of emergency first aide to the client or others until such time as external emergency staff are available where appropriate.

5. Teaches staff, clients and / or family members about specifically prescribed medications including effects, expected benefits, side effects, special precautions and dosing and adherence issues; provides medication information fact sheets for each prescribed psychotropic. Counseling results in increased knowledge, improved adherence, and reduced symptoms or side effects. 

6. Schedules lab work; collects specimens; organizes and reviews medical records and lab reports; communicates results to appropriate personnel or outside providers to insure timely assessment of any discrepancies or unusual findings and responsive treatment by the Physician / APN.

7. Carries out doctor’s orders for medication; prepares medications; administers injections; documents observed effects of medications; organizes, maintains and stocks medication closet; accounts for and keeps a record of stock medication, controlled medications and syringes in order to insure safe and effective treatment in accordance with applicable standards and procedures.

8. Provides or instructs clients and others about basic preventive and maintenance physical and psychiatric health issues such as coping strategies, risk reduction, community resources, smoking cessation, weight management, diabetic or cardiac care to promote wellness and self-reliance.

9. Provides direct assistance in meeting basic needs for crisis intervention, food, clothing, shelter, financial support and / or health care when clients are unable to accomplish this on their own. Makes referrals and provides sufficient follow-up to ensure that clients are connected to needed services and supports both within and outside the organization.

10. Uses interpersonal skills to engage and support clients as they deal with issues such as illness management, problem solving and goal attainment.

11. Generates high quality consistent, accurate and timely documentation of service provision, including summaries of consumer progress and/or service activities. Records meet all applicable procedures, regulatory and professional standards for timeliness, completeness, and qualitative aspects of care. 

12. Documentation is consistent and supports billing activities.

13. Responsible for completing competency-based workplace safety training as assigned by the agency.

14. Performs other duties as assigned.