Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) - (PY1002.7)

SUMMARY

The APRN provides general psychiatric medical care and treatment to patients under direction of a licensed physician.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLIITIES

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Conducts the initial psychiatric assessment of patient upon admission, per protocol.
• Participates in ensuring a safe patient care environment.
• Assess current medical or psychiatric status throughout the patient's hospital stay.
• Performs examinations within prescribed guidelines and under the general instruction of a physician.
• Orders, interprets and evaluates diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's problems and needs.
• Records physical findings and formulates plan and prognosis based on patient's condition.
• Discusses case findings with Physician and other health care professionals to prepare comprehensive patient care plan.
• Submits health care plan and goals of individual patients for periodic review and evaluation by physician.
• Prescribes or recommends medication or other forms of treatment. Refers patients to Physician for consultation or to specialized health resources for treatment.
• Ensure that each psychiatric medication has an appropriate, corresponding diagnosis. The APRN will suggest that all psychiatric diagnoses are updated on the doctor's order/pharmacy sheets.
• Prescribed the initiation of any psychiatric medication deemed appropriate.
• Monitor the tapering of psychiatric medications per federal regulations.
• Collaborate with the Psychiatrist (and attending MD as appropriate) to document when tapers are clinically contraindicated for a patient. If a dose exceeds guidelines, similar documentation will be done.
• Develop, in collaboration with the Social Worker behavior and safety plans as needed.
• Collaborate with nursing staff if a significant change in status occurs and on an ongoing basis.
• Participates in Agency continuing quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Participate in the daily multi-disciplinary case management team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform the essential functions of this job.

• Experience with Case Management fundamentals.
• Experience in delivering crisis intervention services.
• Experienced critical thinking skills and decisive judgment.
• Works under minimal supervision and in collaboration with the Medical Director.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Good computer skills; experienced with EHR.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Highly organized and good anticipatory planning.
• Conflict resolution and analytical skills.
• Skilled in team interactions; support of differing opinions ability to gain consensus with professionals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in psychiatric or mental health nursing.
• Active Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner license.

Preferred qualifications for this position include

• Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing certification or comparable experience.
• Experience managing and treating patients with psychiatric illness.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Required Idaho/Oregon licensure. Licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or other accredited organization depending on specialty.

Certified as a Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider preferred; secured within 30 days of hire.

Valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to move about the facility and may be required to use stairs; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Requires sufficient mobility and balance to participate in ProACT (Professional Assault Crisis Training) training and to implement its principles.

Hazardous Conditions

Risk of verbal and physical threats from clients. Use of keyboard and computer monitor (repetitive hand motions and potential eye strain). Possible exposure to airborne and blood borne pathogens.

Working Conditions

Primarily in residential or limited-stay facility.

Equipment/Materials Used

common office machines including basic computer programs, printer, calculator, telephone equipment, copier, and facsimile. Drives agency or personal vehicle.

LIFEWAYS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MEMBER OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION