Nurse – Outpatient

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The Outpatient Nurse will provide psychiatric nursing services to patients at JCMH Outpatient offices.  Collaborate with prescribers in all phases of medication management and follow-up, medication groups, medication problems and side effects and identify potential physical problems impacting the mental health of patients. Provide education to all patients and their families regarding psychiatric diagnoses.   

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• LPN, AARN, BSRN, or MSRN with one or more years of experience and/or training in a psychiatric setting required.
• Applicant must have a good understanding of psychiatric diagnoses, along with the symptoms and medications used to treat those symptoms.
• The candidate must have a good understanding of possible side effects of psychotropic medications.
• Candidate must have developed awareness of various medical conditions, medication interactions and side effects that may affect the health or psychological functioning of a patient.
• The candidate must have basic computer skills such as e-mail and prescription writing. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred 

Essential Duties: 

• Coordinate prescription refills; respond to all refill requests within 3 business days.
• Coordinate PAP refills: respond to all PAP refill requests within 3 business days
• Assist in medication groups, as required.
• Educate and assist patients with the filling of medication boxes.
• Give long-acting injections.
• Review and order labs, notify prescriber of any abnormal labs requiring immediate attention.
• Assist prescribers in tracking and meeting timeframes for annual labs and AIMs
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.
• Coordinate medication processing and applications with PAP office.
• Work with the drug representatives to ensure medication cabinets are stocked.
• Coordinate and run Clozaril groups, as determined by location
• Provide patients with medication education.
• Screen calls from patients involving medication problems and refills. Return calls promptly, within 72 hours during working days.  Emergent calls will be returned the day that they are received.
• Monitor patients for side effects of medications, including AIMS testing or any medical condition that may affect their mental illness.
• Monitor and review patient’s charts for medication/medical issues with appropriate follow-up.
• Coordination of care with patient’s prescriber, including documentation of medical medications & dosing, physical diagnoses, monitoring of potential medication interactions with psychiatric medications, and referrals as indicated.
• Submit prior authorizations to patient’s’ insurance in a timely fashion.
• Address medication changes with prescribers as needed.

Other Duties:

• Attend mandatory in-services, compliance with individualized training plan if required.
• Participate in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda.  Report high risk/problem cases and utilize a problem-solving approach as well as feedback.  Attending supervision at times and intervals agreed upon with supervisor.
• Work to engage child and adult patients and their families in the treatment process and goal setting.  Identify risk factors including lethality.  Work constructively with patients to reach agreed upon outcomes, and coordinate care with internal and external providers. 
• Applicants should exhibit enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations with patients, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public.
• Effectively respond to patients needs and problems, initiates and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, email and other requests.
• Cooperate with other community agencies, as appropriate, and in agreement with supervisor. 
• Volunteer to work on Center committees and/or task forces.

Note:  Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job.  This job description is intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Salary Grade 12 (LPN): $57,200 to $61,360* ($27.50/hr - $29.50/hr)

Salary Grade 15 (RN): $67,300 to $85,700 annually*

HIRING BONUS: $2,500 one-month anniversary, $2,500 6-month anniversary, $2,500 1-year anniversary ($7,500 total)

Additional Salary & Bonus Information*:

• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*
• Based on full time (40 hours/week). Prorate if less than 40 hours/week*
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours/week to be eligible for bonus*
• Current Jefferson Center employees not eligible for sign on bonus*
• Bonuses are not earned unless and until continuous employment reaches the bonus effective date* 

Application Deadline: This position will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 5/5 for priority consideration.