Registered Nurse - Mental Health Center

Job Summary

Performs responsible, skilled professional nursing services through assessment, screening, treatment plan development, implementation, and evaluation with emphasis on service to clients requiring care related to mental health needs and programs. Coordinates psychiatry services in office, Law Enforcement Center, and in community agency settings. Provides mental health crisis intervention services via phone and in person. Coordinates patient health care and medication needs to promote achievement of highest level of functioning in the community.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Coordinates care with individuals, families, inter-agencies/intra-agencies, and other community resources.
• Coordinates medication clinics, conducts and documents intake, symptoms background and screening, and physical screening such as weight and blood pressure, labs, medication education, prescriptions, and medical needs follow-up with all medication clinic clients.
• Coordinates referrals for needed services such as labs, therapy, physicals with PMD, testing, and case management.
• Coordinates with pharmacies and medication sample programs. Coordinates care with individuals, families, community agencies, hospitals, and inter-agency providers to assure clients and potential clients are offered high quality mental health care. 
• Triages medication clinic crisis calls and on-site crisis situations, providing intervention and referral and responds to medication and health-related needs of clients providing intervention and referral. 
• Monitors side effects and needed lab work.
• Facilitates hospitalizations and crisis interventions- voluntary and involuntary when needed. 
• Confers with medical insurance companies and state health care programs to obtain needed prior authorizations for medications and services.
• Identifies the health care needs of client/client populations and advocates and/or coordinates the agency's program with other professionals to achieve effective and efficient services. 
• Provides health and mental health education to individuals and groups; develops and facilitates health education program for clients in Day Treatment program. 
• Actively participates in current developments in mental health nursing. 
• Functions as an integral part of the Mental Health Center, available to assist other team members with psychiatry concerns. 
• Maintains psychiatric records for all clients. Utilizes electronic health record (EHR), E prescription system.
• Maintains required documentation for regulated medications and submits records as required.
• Coordinates closely with psychiatrists, primary medical doctors, case managers, and mental health providers.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. 
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires licensure as a Registered Nurse to practice in the state of Minnesota and two years mental health/psychiatry-related experience. Preference given for psychiatric nursing and intake experience. Valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities are required.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under the general supervision from the Mental Health Center Director. Work is performed in accordance with prescribed rules, regulations, and professional practices. Employee works on own initiative, but supervisor is available for consultation when guidance is required. Work is reviewed through written reports and conferences.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge of principles and theories of professional nursing care as applied in a general or specialized clinical setting.
• Knowledge of symptoms of mental health disorders.
• Knowledge of mental health crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications uses, side effects, monitoring requirements, and laboratory testing requirements.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures of patient care, examination, standard testing procedures, and treatment techniques.
• Knowledge of the functions of other health and social agencies and their relationships to mental health.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Knowledge and understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.
• Ability to assess nursing needs and to develop and implement nursing care plans.
• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with public and private agencies, and with lay and professional persons.
• Ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to assess and respond clinically to acute and crisis mental health situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to keep detailed records and make reports.
• Ability to utilize electronic health records, medication systems, and medication documentation systems.
• Ability to organize work efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, occurring both in an office and in the field within clients' places of residence, work, or other non-county location. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of multiple clients. Incumbent may be exposed to various atmospheric conditions such as odors, dusts, pets, poor ventilation, fumes, etc. when working in clients' residences. Incumbent may be exposed to uncooperative, angry, and sometimes hostile clients. Some evening or weekend hours may be required.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.