What are the responsibilities and job description for the RN Outpatient, Foley Child Outpatient position at AltaPointe Health Systems?
Primary Job Functions
Clinical Responsibilities
Current RN license to practice in the state of Alabama; valid driver’s license; reliable transportation; knowledge in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric psychiatric care and/or substance abuse/addictions, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provides direct patient care, evaluate outcomes, consult with other members of the care team as required, adjusting nursing care, if indicated.
- Provides individual and family education regarding patient’s psychiatric illness and medications, including uses and potential side effects.
- Maintains accurate and continued nursing documentation, including patient histories, conditions, treatments, and responses.
- Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.
- Completes the assessment process accurately and promptly for patients, including at minimum medical checklist, vital signs, medication list, AIMS when required, and any indicated screenings.
- Responds to patient phone messages, including requests for medication refills or adjustments, questions regarding treatment, or other concerns; documents these interactions promptly and accurately.
- Completes prior authorization forms in a timely manner.
- Maintains sample log and inventory according to policy and procedures.
- Administers medications, observing the seven rights of medication administration.
- Ensures injections are ordered for delivery prior to injection appointments, including SU medications.
- Monitors patients for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician.
- Follows up on missed appointments and documents in patients’ records.
- Complete urine drug screens, pregnancy tests, and breathalyzer tests as needed for SU appointments, informing treatment team of results.
- Communicates effectively with the physician regarding the patient’s physical and mental condition.
- Interfaces actively and cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team to assist in the development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
- Monitors laboratory results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician.
- Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, MindSet, PRN medications), according to the AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
- Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
- Effectively demonstrates the application of nursing competencies.
- When necessary, provides nursing coverage to other adult outpatient programs within Baldwin County.
- Adheres to professional code of ethics.
- Seeks clinical supervision and consultation needs.
- Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
- Actively works to enhance clinical skills.
- Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
- Documents in a clear, concise manner regarding types of patient problems, treatment goals, and services provided
- Completes all required forms, logs, notes and other applicable documentation promptly and accurately.
- Writes legibly on handwritten documents.
- Meets AltaPointe productivity standards.
- Treats patients with care, dignity, and compassion.
- Respects patient’s privacy and confidentiality through knowledge of and strict abidance to HIPAA standards.
- Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
- Assists patients and visitors as needed.
- Does not allow personal values to inhibit the ability to relate to and care for others.
- Is sensitive to the patient’s needs, expectations, and individual differences.
- Is gentle and calm to patients and families.
- Works in a dependable, cooperative, and positive manner with program and AltaPointe staff members.
- Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities.
- Actively participates in AltaPointe committees, when required.
- Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner.
- Accesses appropriate community resources according to patient needs.
- Follows AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
- Maintains current state license and requirements for renewals (i.e., CEUs).
- Attends to required in-services and workshops.
- Other duties as assigned.
- There is frequent standing while getting files, paperwork, and handing out medication.
- Sitting is frequent by nature and up to 5-10 minutes; however, extended sitting could be up to 1.5 to 3 hours for documentation.
- Squatting and/or lunging frequently to stock supplies and retrieve needed material from file cabinets and bookshelves.
- Fine manipulation for writing, handling paperwork, and dispensing medications to patients.
- Pushing and/or pulling force up to 1-5 pounds force, horizontally, to open file cabinets and place binders on bookshelves.
- Lifting various ranges from the floor to overhead with weights up to 1-5 pounds frequently.
- Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Current RN license to practice in the state of Alabama; valid driver’s license; reliable transportation; knowledge in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric psychiatric care and/or substance abuse/addictions, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment
- Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in child/adolescent/adult/geriatric populations.
- Knowledge of general and psychiatric nursing care.
- Knowledge of growth and development as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of patient development.
- Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with psychiatric care.
- Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications
- Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
- Basic knowledge of appropriate educational methods for patients with psychiatric disorders.
- Knowledge of family dynamics and parenting issues.
- Knowledge of effects and treatment of physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect issues.
- Understanding of behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, on the patient and their significant others.
- Knowledge of cultural diversity.