Position Summary: Promotes and restores client’s health by completing the nursing process; collaborating with Physicians, DON and multidisciplinary team members. Rotating weekends and alternating holidays are required. WE ARE HIRING FOR NIGHT SHIFT ONLY.

Educational Requirements: Current Florida licensure as a licensed practical nurse

Special Skills: One year general Nursing experience and/or Substance Abuse/Mental Health Nursing experience; strong people skills to provide excellent internal and external customer service 

Position Duties:

1. Identifies client care requirements by establishing a rapport with potential and actual clients and other persons in a position to understand care requirements. Provides emotional and psychological support to clients.

2. Coordinates daily, Monday through Friday with the Court Services Office to provide admission Nursing Screens and Assessments for clients. Promotes a smooth transition for clients entering Residential or Detoxification services as indicated. 

3. Assists Physicians with the weekly Medical and Psychiatric Clinics. 

4. Promotes client’s independence by establishing client care goals; teaching client to understand condition and self-care skills; answering questions. Provides client Psycho educational groups on an ongoing basis.

5. Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against client care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following nursing philosophies and standards of care set by the Florida State Board of Nursing, State Nurse Practice Act, and other governing agency regulations.

6. Provides Nursing Sick Call Clinic for clients two times weekly or more as indicated. Recommends appropriate referrals for clients.

7. Protects clients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols. Plants PPD’s on all clients entering the Residential Treatment Programs unless contraindicated. Draws blood samples for RPR screenings on all clients as required.

8. Documents client care services by charting in client and department records; accurately completes required paperwork procedures.

9. Provides Nursing support to the Detoxification Unit as necessary.

10. Provides oversight and support to the Technicians in the monitoring of clients' self-medication protocols and medication storage. 

11. Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential; following established confidentiality policy and procedures; maintaining professional boundaries with clients.

12. Maintains inter- and intradepartmental workflow by fostering a spirit of cooperation.

13. Additional duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing.

FIRST STEP COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrates Dependability: 

• Arrives to work on time according to FSOS policy
• Uses leave time according to FSOS policy
• Completes documentation/paperwork and projects within deadlines

Demonstrates Flexibility & Initiative: 

• Assumes additional responsibilities and a willingness to assist colleagues
• Works different shifts when necessary
• Recommends program changes and improvements

Demonstrates Teamwork: 

• Maintains an overall work attitude of cooperation and professionalism in all interactions with agency staff and community professionals
• Attends and participates in required staff meetings and agency-wide committees
• Receptive to direction and feedback from supervisor

Demonstrates Professionalism:

• Conducts self in professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients
• Recognizes the rights of clients; and will protect client’s privacy at all times by following FSOS State, and Federal mandated privacy procedures and regulations
• Adheres to FSOS Code of Ethics at all times
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, laws, and regulations under which First Step operates

First Step of Sarasota, Inc. (FSOS) is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We are dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our staff and clients. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees. FSOS also conducts pre-employment drug screening (to include medical marijuana) as a Drug Free Workplace pursuant to the Drug Free Workplace Program under Florida's Workers' Compensation Law.