Residential Nurse

Residential Nurse

Supervised by: Executive Director

Qualifications:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with a current license in the State of Nebraska. A minimum of two years of work experience in a behavioral health setting preferred. Knowledge of and interest in the treatment of substance use disorders and mental illness.
• Must have competency with treatment issues specific to women.
• Must be knowledgeable regarding DSM-5 and be experienced in working with clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Willing to become knowledgeable of supportive services and other referral agencies in the community to benefit clients.
• Familiarity with Federal and State Regulations on 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA.
• Schedule is primarily daytime hours, with occasional evening or weekend availability as needed.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prepare reports for client records per agency guidelines and timelines.
• Ability to work with other agency professionals to meet needs and best interest of consumers, serving as a liaison between agencies.
• Current, valid driver's license and operational vehicle that meets current state safety standards with liability insurance coverage, providing proof of coverage to transport residents if necessary for referral or assistance if other staff is unavailable.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete Health Assessment for each individual within 24 hours of admission, which includes evaluation for infectious disease, as part of DDP/IR resident intake process. a. Gather health information, including physician orders, significant medical conditions, allergies, medication history and current use profile, efficacy of current or previously used medication, medication allergies or adverse reactions to medications, physical health history, current health needs, as well as current pregnancy and prenatal care. b. Formulate recommendations for further medical assessment and care. c. Communicate recommendations utilizing motivational enhancement techniques. d. Formulate alternate recommendations should the consumer choose to decline initial recommendations. e. Provide recommendations to the Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Individual Treatment Plan.
• Oversee the Nursing program for the WELL through training and monitoring of Health and Wellness Coordinator activities. a. Provide training for Health and Wellness Coordinator regarding any additional or delegated activities for the Nursing program. b. Supervise Health and Wellness Coordinator to ensure that each resident is offered medical attention when needed and make arrangements for health services with the consent of the client and/or designee. c. Supervise Health and Wellness Coordinator to ensure that each resident has access to a qualified health care professional who is responsible for monitoring her health care and that the client has access to regular health screenings in accordance with the recommendations of the qualified health care professional. d. Supervise Health and Wellness Coordinator to ensure that residents have access to emergency medical services when needed. e. Supervise the development, implementation and updates of all treatment plans with primary area of responsibility being medical care and education. f. Work with Health and Wellness Coordinator to obtain sufficient information to assess individual resident's needs for personal attention pertaining to medical/dental/vision needs, medication compliance, weight management, chronic pain issues and ability of resident to comprehend medical information during and after doctor's visits.
• Oversee all Medication Aide training and Medication Administration Records. a. Oversee Medication Aide certification, including competency assessment, for all Residential Technicians. b. Monitor, describe, and communicate the resident's administration of medication in accordance with the physician's order. c. Provide direction and monitoring in the provision of routine and additional activities of Medication Aides. d. Oversee the tracking and reporting of any medication error that is a variance from the five rights to the client's licensed practitioner, in a timely manner upon discovery and by written report. Confer with the Health and Wellness Coordinator and Executive Director regarding medication errors and needs for additional training and/or disciplinary action. e. Oversee individual Medication Administration Records for each resident to ensure accuracy and completeness. f. Determine the capability of residents to transition from staff-administration of medication to self-administration of medication. Determine the need to return to staff-administration of medication if the need arises.
• Conduct direct care nursing activities as needed. a. Medically monitor resident's medical issues such as poorly controlled hypertension, diabetes, chronic pain issues, obesity, and other medical issues. b. Regularly monitor residents' compliance in taking prescribed medications. c. Have familiarity with CIWA-Ar for use with residents with acute withdrawal symptoms and the need for detox in the event of a resident's relapse using CIWA-Ar. d. Be available to take after hours and weekend on-call assignments, pertaining to medications and their possible side effects as well as other medical questions. e. Confer with the Executive Director on the need for a more structured environment for individual residents such as Emergency Protective Custody, Emergency Room, or medical urgent care situations.
• Oversee the disposal of medications per agency policy and procedure.
• Assist the Executive Director and Health and Safety Coordinator in developing, implementing and maintaining a system for management of identified infections within the facility, which includes the use of standard prevention of transmission of infections among clients and/or staff.