ACT Forensic Community Psychiatric RN

Community Treatment Team Nurse

We offer the following excellent benefits including: Loan forgiveness, Free parking, Medical, Vision, Prescription, Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave, Retirement Plan, Tuition Reimbursement, Dental, Life and Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Referral program, Employee Assistance Program and more!

Position Summary:

CTT is mandated to provide services to those individuals within the mental health system who present the greatest degree of severity of symptomatology as evidenced by their multiple physical, psychiatric and legal conditions, extensive use of services and lack of follow-through with treatment. This population requires the highest level of medical necessity as defined by the State Adult Environmental Matrix.

As a member of the ACT multidisciplinary team the CTT nurse is responsible for conducting psychiatric assessments; assessing physical health needs; making appropriate referrals to community physicians; providing management and administration of medication in conjunction with the psychiatrist; providing a range of treatment, rehabilitation and support services; and sharing shift management responsibility with other staff.

As a member of an ACT team, the CTT nurse provides an array of health care support to consumers, other team members and service providers. Utilizing the Community Support Program model, the CTT nurse routinely assesses the psychiatric and physical health care needs of these persons. The incumbent develops a strengths-oriented treatment/service plan that addresses consumer health care needs through the identification and utilization of community resources.

The nurse is responsible for ensuring that the mission, goals and philosophy of CTT are operationalized within the team; especially as they apply to health care services. Provides care appropriate to the age and ethnic/cultural background of the consumer.

The incumbent works with staff to ensure continuity of care and enhancement of consumer understanding, acquisition and maintenance of independence living skills in the areas of: (a) their daily living situation; (b) interpersonal skills and social support/network building; (c) leisure and recreational support/skills development; (d) maintenance and enhancement of physical and mental needs.

One hundred percent (100%) of the incumbent's contacts are billable services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the health care needs of assigned consumers: utilizes professional expertise, theory, and practice as a basis for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating psychiatric and medical needs of consumers according to ACT policy and guidelines in the community.
• Maintains records of medical history and ongoing medical records. Completes Nursing Health Assessment for CTT consumers: annually and updated as needed, including initial nutritional assessment and on-going nutritional information and education. Develops and implements individualized health treatment plans.
• Provides comprehensive service coordination (Case Management) to assigned consumers per policies according to ACT program standards. Consults with Team regarding development and implications of Nursing and Service Plan, develops comprehensive treatment plans according ACT program standards utilizing behaviorally specific language, specific interventions and measurable goals, individually tailored to the specific consumers' needs.
• Negotiates the health care responsibilities of each consumer with provider agencies and CTT. Facilitates the use of generic services.
• Participates on assigned teams providing expertise in the area of physical health and in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings. Coordinates consumers' routine medical, vision, lab and dental appointments with team members. Uses protocols for reporting of results and follow-up.
• Accompanies consumers to appointments when it is determined necessary by the nurse and the team.
• Attends psychiatric team meetings to review medication, Personal Plans and response to treatment.
• Attends team meetings to review the health care needs, consumers' response to treatment and coordinates the scheduling of appointments.
• Takes the lead role and/or participates in providing medications. Monitors and administers consumer medications. Coordinates and as necessary, administers injections.
• Participates in discharge planning for consumers from acute or extended care facilities.
• Monitors and as necessary, provide medical treatment in the community as prescribed by a recognized medical service vendor. Completes Appropriate Documentation:
• Develops, reviews and revises forms, procedures and standards of care according to accepted National Standards of Nursing Practice Act.
• Documents service provided according to CTT policy. Completes documentation as required for all consumer-related activities (billable).
• Serves as a member of the CTT Quality Improvement Program.
• Maintains and updates nursing section(s) of the consumer's Personal Record according to CTT policy and procedures standards.
• Completes medication administration records (MAR) PO and Intramuscular injection (IM) records according to CTT policy and procedures standards.
• Monitors status of consumers in acute hospital setting.
• Provides Consultation Services
• Services are provided to community agencies upon request when it is determined by CTT and nurses that it is required.
• Services are provided to teams at regularly-scheduled team meetings and upon request of a team member.
• Community services are provided upon request; after consultation with the Clinical Director.
• Provides Education and Training:
• Education and training sessions are conducted with consumers, families, provider agencies and CTT Staff. The incumbent utilizes effective communication skills to communicate with consumers, family members and team members, to ensure that consumers' needs are met.
• Subject matter and prescription is based upon individual and group needs. Training to meet Accrediting Body standards is also provided.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills Required:

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work well with people, have creative problem-solving skills; maintains current clinical skills; has knowledge of mental health system/ community resources and networking skills; ability to work independently, flexible and adaptive in handling changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment and has the ability to work extended hours, as may be required.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree or an Associate's degree or Diploma from an approved nursing program with experience working with persons with mental illness. Two (2) years' experience in the mental health field preferred. Pennsylvania License in good standing. Experience may include internships and/or practicum.

Physical Demands:

Ability to sit for at least one (1) hour at a time and to use a telephone. Able to climb stairs at consumer's residences, bend, stoop, push and pull file drawers and lift up to 20lbs.

Essential Functions/Other Requirements:

Must have a valid driver's license, auto insurance and must have use of a vehicle for work and on call; ability to work in a team environment and share office space; ability to work evenings and weekends in meeting on-call responsibilities.

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work well with people, have creative problem-solving skills. Maintains current clinical skills; knowledge of mental health system/ community resources networking skills; ability to work independently, flexible and adaptive in handling changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment and has the ability to work extended hours, as may be required and able to work in the community for a significant part of the work day.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act :

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law.