Responsibilities

Primary Job Functions:

• Provide direct patient care, evaluate outcomes, consult with other specialists as required and adjust nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Assess, plan, implement and educate patient/family
• Maintain accurate and continued nursing documentation including patient histories, conditions, treatments, responses
• Identify and address psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patient
• Respond to patients’ requests for medication refills.  Reviews charts for treatment compliance.  
• Administer medication observing the seven rights of medication administration and ordering of medications to the pharmacy
• Perform venipuncture for laboratory requests, drug screens, TB skin tests, etc., monitors lab results and reports all abnormal findings to the physician   
• Administer screening instruments as needed/indicated       
• Provide medication education for the patient and family, including uses and potential side effects. Monitor patients for potential side effects of medications and reports findings to the physician/provider.
• Communicate effectively with the physician/provider regarding the patient’s physical and mental condition.
• Follow up on missed injections and documents in patients record appropriately
• Interact with patients and evaluate needs to ensure that proper information is reported during staffing with the treatment team
•  Conduct infection control training for staff and patients when indicated to include HIV education
• Participate in daily Huddles
• Interface with the multi-disciplinary team and actively and cooperatively participate in development of the interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Provide emergency care as needed (CPR, Mindset, Emergency Medications), according to AltaPointe Policy & Procedures.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Adhere to professional code of ethics.
• Effectively demonstrate the application of adult specific competencies. 

In addition, for Medication Assisted treatment (MAT) Programs:

• May conduct observed same sex random Urine Analysis when necessary.
• Administer injectable MAT treatment medications for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
• Receive injectable medications and store appropriately, maintaining accurate inventory
• Ensure refrigerator storing medications is monitored and log maintained 

 Supervision and Consultation

• Seek clinical supervision and consultation needs.
• Accept and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Actively work to enhance clinical skills.

Clinical Record Keeping

• Document in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
• Document in a clear, concise manner, types of patient problems, treatment goals and services provided.
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs, and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate.
• Document legibly.
• Meet AltaPointe productivity standard

 Courteous and respectful towards patients, visitors and co-workers

• Treat patients with care, dignity and compassion.
• Respect patient’s privacy and confidentiality.
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assist patients and visitors as needed.
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate 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 both program and other AltaPointe staff members

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will possess a current RN/LPN license to practice in the state of Alabama. Candidates must also have knowledge in adult psychiatric care, substance use/addictions, medical care as outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatrics, substance use, and primary nursing care.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of substance use disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of medical illnesses in the adult population
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology, especially those terms associated with adult psychiatric care, substance use, and primary care
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology and the use of psychotropic medications with the adult psychiatric, substance use, and primary care
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic patients and/or patients with addictive disease as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practice.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of trauma informed care principles
• Understanding behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects
• of psychoactive drugs, including alcohol and tobacco on the patient and their significant others
• Basic Teaching and Training skills
• Knowledge of the nature of addictions as a primary illness
• Knowledge of gender specific issues related to addiction
• Knowledge of Medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive diseases and other substance related disorders
• Familiarity of psychopharmacology, psychotropic medications and use of synthetic drugs for recovery