PROGRAM:                  Urgent Crisis Center (UCC)

The Urgent Crisis Center (UCC) is a behavioral health urgent care center that provides crisis evaluation, de-escalation, and community coordination of care for children and youth experiencing a behavioral or psychiatric crisis.  All evaluations, assessments, safety planning and initial recommendations for follow-up care must occur within a 24-hour time period.  All staff are required to work their assigned schedule but may be asked to shift/alter this in response to high workflow time periods.

The Urgent Crisis Center (UCC) Registered Nurse serves to triage and admit children and families seeking services at the UCC. The nurse will provide professional nursing assessments to assess risk and the need for service. For acute presentations, the nurse will liaise with local emergency departments to coordinate the transfer of care to this setting. All registered nurses work a minimum of 2 agency observed holidays each calendar year.

 GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Urgent Crisis Center (UCC) Registered Nurse serves to triage and admit children and families seeking services at the UCC. The nurse will provide professional nursing assessments to assess risk and the need for service. For acute presentations, the nurse will liaise with local emergency departments to coordinate the transfer of care to this setting.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assess risk and determines appropriateness for UCC model of care
2. Evaluates the general health care of all children admitted to the UCC, completes the nurses’ assessment, and administers other validated psychometric scales.
3. Obtains vital signs and baseline health observations
4. Enters information in the electronic health record and other required data systems in a timely and accurate manner
5. Participates during intake/admission procedures and discharges per protocol.
6. Supports the evaluation of the physical condition of children as needed.
7. Collects baseline information around anxiety, depression, trauma, health conditions, medications using formalized measures and wellness assessments.
8. Provides crisis support to children and youth who may be escalated including verbal de-escalation and in emergencies, physical restraint according to policy and procedure
9. Consults with the APRN and medical team around complex presentations
10. Coordinates with current treaters including obtaining clinical updates, medical history, and medication history
11. Provides discharge details to the child’s current treatment team including medical, clinical and psychosocial recommendations and components of the safety plan.
12. Contributes to local and regional outreach efforts to  support program activities, relationships, and workflow. 
13. Participates in Urgent Crisis Center workflow meetings, medical team discussions and other child-based or agency committees as appropriate.
14. Other tasks as assigned by program leaders or the medical leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must have the ability to maintain the utmost confidentiality of both agency and client matters. Must understand and be able to display the clinical knowledge and expertise necessary to perform crisis intervention. Must be able to display knowledge and expertise about the populations served by the Urgent Crisis Center. Must be physically capable of participating in physical interventions (i.e. restraints and therapeutic holds). Must be capable of working as a part of a team and be able to effectively communicate with both families and professionals (in writing and verbally). Working knowledge of the greater Waterbury area is a must. Bilingual (Spanish – English) may be required.

Must possess or readily obtain the following licenses/certificates/training:

1. Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Connecticut
2. CPR and First Aid Instructor Certification (through a certified Red Cross Program)
3. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training (offered by Wellmore)
4. Periodic Physical and PPD testing as required
5. DCF Background History Check (CPA)

Education and Experience:

RN training and degree from an accredited school of nursing. Knowledge of applicable standards and regulations. Prior expertise in pediatric care preferred. CPR/1st Aid Instructor preferred. Must have knowledge of diverse cultural groups and the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and valid auto insurance. CPR and first-aid.

Salary : $49